Liz Local - Holiday Edition 2021

HOLIDAYS 2021 Elements of Seasonal Decorating Very Merry Beverages 3 Tips for Stress-Free Celebrations Update Now, Pay Later

Holidays at Home With the holidays quickly approaching, we are reminded how Others have re-prioritized their lives, and are up-sizing, down- important “home” is this time of year! One of the coolest parts sizing, and moving closer to family. Whatever your reason for of what we do for a living is that we are instrumental in helping considering a move, we would love to help. our clients select the dining room where they will celebrate Thanksgiving with their families, the kitchen where multiple The market has remained consistently strong across all 4 generations will create holiday cookies together, and the family markets we now serve, and there is no sign of that changing room where they will ring in New Years (does anyone stay up in the near-future. Homeowners are enjoying unprecedented that late?!). We sell homes, not houses, and understanding the appreciation, and have seen remarkable equity gains in the last difference makes all the difference in the world. 18 months. Couple that with continuing low interest rates, and that creates some outstanding opportunities to leverage Especially this year as we all settle into the new normal, real estate to build wealth. home has taken on even more significance. Many people have chosen to work from home and to school their children at Navigating the current market has its challenges, and now home, meaning that new spaces are more important than ever. more than ever you need a committed professional to guide you. We would love to be your REALTOR. Happy Holidays! Liz Moore, Contents President Holidays at Home Hello From Your Liz Moore REALTOR® Elements of Seasonal Decorating Very Merry Beverages 3 Tips for Stress-Free Celebrations Update Now, Pay Later

Your New Year Home Checkup Just as you review your investment portfolio with a trusted financial advisor, or your coverage with your insurance agent, you should meet with your REALTOR® to regularly review your home’s current value. Your home is one of your largest assets, so staying on top of changes in the local market is a very wise decision. This is your personal invitation for your annual real estate check up - give me a call and let’s get started! HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL 3

Elements of Seasonal Decorating By Brandy Centolanza Whether you have a specific color, style, or theme when it comes to your holiday decorating, it can’t hurt to mix it up a bit. This season, consider incorporating some of these trends for 2021 into your holiday décor. Color Holiday color decorating trends tend to follow fashion color trends. This year’s popular colors include shades of red, gold, beige, and tan as well as pink, orange, purple, green, and blue hues. Don’t be surprised to see Christmas trees in beige, brown, blush, pink, red, or rose gold. Another trend is a black and white color scheme for your tree, using a faux white tree with black velvet ribbon, or you can even make it a “White Christmas” and adorn the house with snow-inspired décor. Don’t forget white throws and pillows, and candles, which can be used throughout the whole year. More of a traditionalist? You can never go wrong with the classic red and green when it comes to holiday decorating. 4 HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL

Themes Speaking of green, it’s become quite popular to go Earth-friendly when it comes to holiday décor and use recycled and repurposed materials as decorations and gift wrapping. Inexpensive DIY holiday ornaments and decorations can be made using wine corks, old CDS, old car keys, mason jars, and materials such as cardboard, glass, or wood. Or, create your own wreath incorporating greenery or poinsettia leaves with extra decorative bulbs, ribbon, or dehydrated fruit. Don’t forget about reusable linens, napkins, and lights (such as LED twinkle lights). Rustic farmhouse décor is also trendy as well as adding a little bit of nostalgia such as showcasing some of Grandma’s vintage decorations. Those iconic ceramic Christmas trees are making a comeback. Want to reimagine your holiday home as a cozy cabin in the woods? Hang wooden holiday ornaments on the tree and around the house, add a bowl of decorative pinecones to a table, or use fake fur blankets for the sofa or bed. When it comes to adorning the house, you should also keep it simple and decorate only the areas where family most often gather. Don’t have time to decorate? Outsourcing your holiday decorating is also growing in popularity. Many local businesses can help, especially with outdoor lighting and decorations. HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL 5

Very Wines Merry Beverages No matter what food you are serv- ing, be sure to have bottles of both By Brandy Centolanza white wine and red wine on hand No holiday celebration would so guests have options. While white be complete without a drink wine usually pairs well with lighter in hand. This is the time of foods and red wine is usually served year to imbibe in something with a heavier meal, there are guests unique and delicious. Wheth- who tend to prefer one wine over er you plan to serve your the other whether you are serving guests a glass of vino, a pint of turkey, ham, or beef. And don’t beer, a cocktail, or mocktail, write off rose wines as simply a sum- here’s what you should have mer sip. Rose wines can be enjoyed stocked in your home bar for year-round. Don’t forget to pick up your holiday gathering. bottles of sweet dessert wines to go with all the after-dinner treats. 6 HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL

Beers Now is the time for seasonal craft beers created with a variety of spices and flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, orange peel, cloves, gingerbread, mint, chocolate, or caramel malt. You can even stick with the holiday color pattern and stock up on various red ales. Be sure to have classics like Bud or Miller for those who prefer a simple beer. Liquor Your home bar should also include different kinds of liquor for making mixed drinks, cocktails, and mocktails. Be sure to add whiskey, rum, and vodka to your spirits list. Rum is a nice addition to eggnog or apple cider, while vodka pairs well with cranberry juice, and whiskey is great in a hot toddy. Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kahlua are also popular. You can find alcohol in fun holiday flavors like vanilla, cinna- mon apple, pecan, orange, or mint. You can make a simple cranberry martini with vodka, orange liqueur, vermouth, and cranberry juice; a holiday mimosa with sparkling wine or champagne, cranberry juice, and a splash of orange li- queur; or a candy cane-flavored cocktail using peppermint schnapps, white crème de cacao, half and half, grenadine, and candy canes for garnish. Other items your home bar should have are mixes and sup- plies for non-drinkers such as orange juice, lemon juice and lime juice, pomegranate juice, club soda, tonic, cola, sprite, or ginger ale; tools such as a muddler, a shaker, a strainer, and a shot glass; garnishes such as mint leaves, candy canes, cinnamon sticks, and fruits like grapes, apples, and orange slices; and plenty of ice. HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL 7

3 Tips for Stress-Free Celebrations By Brandy Centolanza In the age of covid-19, smaller holiday gatherings will be popular again this season. Whether you are planning an office party or an intimate at-home celebration for family and friends this holiday season, here are some things to keep in mind for your next shindig. 1. Think Small Be mindful of how guests may feel as we continue to ride out the pandemic. Keep things simple and consider a private cocktail party with a limited number of guests who can nosh on appetizers, tapas, and holiday-themed drinks (see related story). Those who want to avoid the crowds may also want to partake in a contactless ornament exchange or a cookie exchange party outdoors, or, instead of cookies, mix it up and host a doughnut decorating event. Another option to consider is a virtual holiday game night where you can play holiday bingo, holiday trivia, charades, or sing Christmas carols. 2. Get In The Spirit Since it is the holidays, center your party around the theme. Other party suggestions may be a holi- day movie dinner theatre show; a winter wonderland theme featuring snowman frosty cake toppers and strings of snowmen and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and throughout the house, or even a Frozen theme party; the trendy Ugly Sweater Christmas party with a fashion show where guests can showcase their tacky holiday attire creations; a wreath-making party; a Nutcracker themed tea party; a gingerbread house making party; a Christmas “Carol-oke” party with classic holiday tunes; a pinata holiday party where the pinata is filled with holiday candies and mints; or a beachy holiday themed fiesta where guests wear their favorite beachy outfit and leis. 8 HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL

3. Prepare Ahead of Time Send out invitations with three weeks notice for your guests. Prior to your event, plan the menu ahead of time and stock up on supplies, or utilize what you already have on hand at home to avoid added costs and stress. You’ll also want to con- sider whether your party is a family-friendly event or for adults only and plan accordingly, ensuring there is enough entertainment for everyone of all ages. Don’t go overboard with the planning so that you are stuck in the kitchen all night while everyone else is enjoying the moment. Set food and drink throughout the house or office space so people can spread out and mingle at their leisure. It is important to remember the reason for the gathering and embrace the spirit of the season. HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL 9

Update Now, Pay Later Amy McCluskey Upon qualification and the meeting of certain criteria, Liz Moore & Associates will lend money to the seller up front for Who doesn’t want to sell their home for the most money? remodeling and repairs, just like a bank would. When the Probably no one! home sells, the money will be paid back to the firm at closing, plus a $195 fee for the program. But, sometimes, to get the most return on your investment you may need to update a few things here and there in the home. For Derry Machuca, the Update Now Pay Later was a god- Maybe the current paint job is suffering from crayon marks send. Her one-story rancher off Penniman Road in Williams- and nail holes, or perhaps the floors need new carpet. burg was well-loved and well lived-in. She and her family bought the house in 2001 and made it their own. With her Ideally, you’d have the money to invest in updates up front as children grown and out of the house combined with family re- well as the time to manage the coordination of multiple con- sponsibilities in California, Derry knew it was time to sell, but tractors, but for many people that just isn’t the case. she was worried about getting the house updated. That’s where Liz Moore & Associates comes in. “I was doing it alone and didn’t have the capital to put a lot of work into it,” she said. Recently the company unveiled a new program to address this very need called “Update Now Pay Later.” The goal of this innovative program is to helps sellers get their homes market ready with minimal investment. 10 HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL

Her Liz Moore REALTOR told her about the Update Now “It really helped the curb appeal and we had an offer after the Pay Later program. first open house,” said Faith. “We thought the house was a perfect fit and Derry was excited Derry said she couldn’t have been happier with the service she about it,” said Faith Heinen, Derry’s agent. “She was all in!” received from everyone involved! She also couldn’t say enough about the contractors who did the improvements. When a seller opts into the program, a Liz Moore professional will come by and do an assessment of the property and offer “Everyone who was involved was awesome,” said Derry. “They recommendations on improvements. Next, the company will answered all of my questions and the contractor went above follow up with an estimate and a timeline. The initial consulta- and beyond. I don’t think they know how much it meant to tion for this service is free of charge! me for all of that work to be handled while I was 3,000 miles away in California.” Though Derry’s home already had many plusses, the Liz Moore team put together a list of items that once updated Her realtor Faith Heinen said that Derry realized about would help the home sell much quicker and for more money. $20,000 more in proceeds than she would have if she didn’t do They included: interior and exterior paint, power washing, the upgrades. painted kitchen cabinets, new kitchen flooring and granite countertops, yard cleanup, electrical work, new front and back Is the Update Now Pay Later program right for you? doors and new railings on the back steps. Contact your Liz Moore & Associates REALTOR today and find out! ADVERTISEMENT HOLIDAYS 2021 / LIZ LOCAL 11

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