Fall
- Katherine Lisecki
- Oct 29, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 19
"Be like a tree and let the dead leaves fall"
- Rumi
Costa Rica Deets
The winter is coming.... The best tip I learned moving here to get through the grayness is to take a trip to somewhere warm and sunny.
Gabe and I just got back from our 2nd time to Costa Rica and were surprised by how affordable it was. The locals are incredibly warm and welcoming. Here's how we kept it low cost and still enjoyable.
Tips
Fly into the airport at Liberia! Last time we flew into San Jose and had like 10 hours of driving just to get to our hotel, by the end we felt like zombies.
Get your rental car from either Enterprise or Alamo near the hotel. Get a 4x4, you will not regret it. The roads are a bit intense in areas and you may have to do river crossings. The service was insane for a rental car situation! Super friendly and really fast. We used points for this and it took way less points than a 2 day car rental in Tucson 2 weeks later. More bang for your buck!
The first night we stayed at a Marriott close by and used points. More information on the hotel is below. This way we weren't completely exhausted from travel and driving 4 plus hours on top of the flight.
The next day we drove down to Santa Teresa Beach, southeastern end of Nicoya Peninsula.
During the rainy season, avoid the small road routes along the coast. We took it going down and deeply regretted it. haha! The pot holes are intense so you have to drive super slow and it doubles the trip time. Going back we drove the normal roads and it was WAY easier. Photo on the left are light version of these potholes, this is just the town main street.
Power does go out here and there. We just went with it. Charged our devices when we could and it forced some R&R. Two restaurants you can still eat at for sure are Eat Street, they have a generator and wifi, and Muzza Pizza
Hotels
Coco Bungo - (apx $200/night includes cleaning fees)
Restaurants
Cafe Social - smoothies & sandwiches
Eat Street - tacos, burrito bowls, & desserts
Kooks Smokehouse - BBQ & steaks
Muzza - sourdough pizza & pasta
Monkeys
There are four different types of monkeys in Costa Rica. The best times to see them are in the morning and dusk. We have seen the white face monkeys and howler monkeys in Nicoya peninsula.
Impacts of the Election
Quick PSA - let's be nice to each other, regardless of the vote. Life is hard enough as is.
One week out from the presidential election, let's talk about it's impact. From policies impacting taxes to regulations that affect mortgage rates and housing incentives, changes to housing policy could influence your buying or selling decisions. So, how is this election season impacting the housing market, and what can we expect?
1. Interest Rates Remain in Focus
Federal interest rates significantly affect mortgage rates. While the Federal Reserve operates independently, its decisions are often influenced by economic conditions impacted by government policies. Just this week, interest rates have increased back to 7%, which has a big impact on buyers. My prediction is that it will slowly come back down after a candidate is elected, simply because there will be certainty for 4 more years, regardless of who it is.
2. Market Uncertainty Influencing Demand
Elections tend to bring about uncertainty, which can make some buyers hesitant to jump into the housing market. This coupled with people getting busy during the holidays, many buyers will be pressing pause. Sellers, on the other hand, are finding fewer buyers, which is causing a slower market in the short term. Believe it or not, this time of year is historically the best time to buy due to less competition and having leverage to negotiate. The best time to sell tends to be in Feb - March before a huge influx of inventory hits the market but when buyers have come back to the market .
3. Policy Promises Impacting Real Estate Investment
Both presidential candidates outline policies that can impact the housing sector directly or indirectly, including tax incentives, homeownership programs, and rental property regulations. I am not going to get into the policies; however, it is important to know that Seattle and the surrounding areas are working to address the housing crisis through different state and county bills, separate from any promises from these candidates. Currently, there is a comprehensive plan to upzone areas that must be completed by Dec 31st for King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Kitsap counties. This will allow people to build more homes without less rigid lot restrictions, hoping to improve density, leading to less expensive options for first time home buyers.
4. Seattle Market Dynamics Amid Election Buzz
In Seattle, we have a unique market shaped by tech-driven growth, high demand, and tight housing inventory. These means we may be hit less by the uncertainty. The number of home sales in the last 10 years hasn't barely changed due to the election but is likely more of the normal rhythm of the market with the seasons. The average home price has continued to climb regardless of election years, with dips for the 2008 recession and the recent rate hike in 2022.
5. Preparing for Potential Changes Post-Election
Regardless of the election outcome, policies often take time to implement. Working closely with local agents and real estate professionals, as well as financial advisors, can help you navigate Seattle’s market dynamics and plan for potential outcomes.
Final Thoughts
While elections bring change, our current market, would need to have something absolutely monumental to be substantially impacted. In fact, if you are considering buying right now, you can get some amazing deals! Builders are offering great incentives and sellers on the market have to sell. Try not to wait for the additional competition in the new year. In regards to selling, if you can hold off until the new year, I highly recommend doing so. Otherwise, price accordingly.
Exploring PNW
If you didn't get out to see the larches, no sweat. Here are a few late fall hikes for vibrant red foliage!
Watch dancers light up the stage - literally - in this unique Snow White ballet More Details
The music scene has a bunch of amazing artists coming! Zach Bryan, Maggie Rogers, Modest Mouse, Foster the People, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. Events & Tickets
Skip the mess & impress: support local restaurants and buy your turkey day feast from one of these delicious spots. Preorder Thanksgiving Day Meals
Monthly data for separated by area: Seattle, Eastside, Pierce, & Snohomish
Inventory continues to rise, meaning there are more options for buyers and more competition for sellers. That along closed sales trending down, we are going to have an interesting last few months of the year.
The months supply is increasing, almost back to where it was when the market paused in 2018, but still low compared to a balanced market (balanced is 6 months of inventory and we are at 2.6). This means it is still a sellers market.
Deals will be made, people will still sell and people will still buy, but I anticipate many are holding off until the new year. Not sure about you, but I cannot wait for this election to be over and all of us to collectively just move forward! :)
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