Turkey day is just around the corner…and if you’re hosting this year, you might be feeling the pressure right around this time with all of the work that goes into preparing a Thanksgiving feast. That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to help with all of your Thanksgiving needs – from local activities and events, to delicious food and drink recipes organized by category, to gorgeous table setting decor ideas and more. Read on for tips, tricks, and ideas for a gobblin’ good time!

Are you staying in town this year to celebrate Thanksgiving with friends and family? Explore local events, happenings, and volunteer opportunities that are taking place this holiday season.

Local Events and Activities

1. Now – December 31st: Friendsgiving at the Revival 
2. Now – January 16th: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink
3. November 24th – December 24th: Theatre of Lights at the Old Sacramento Waterfront
4. November 19th – 21st: Sacramento Fall Festival
5. November 19th – January 16th: Global Winter Wonderland 2021
6. November 19th – December 12th: Elf: The Musical
7. November 20th: Holiday Sip & Shop
8. November 23rd: Blooms & Bubbly: Thanksgiving Workshop
9. November 25th: Run to Feed The Hungry
10. November 25th: Historic Folsom Christmas Light Promenade
11. November 25th: Turkey Trot in Roseville
12. November 25th: Elk Grove Gobble Wobble
13. November 25th: Folsom Turkey Trot

Volunteer Opportunities 

1. Donate to Loaves and Fishes Holiday Headquarters
2. Donate to Animals at The Sacramento SPCA or Front Street Animal Shelter 
3. Donate to Toys for Tots (contact me today to coordinate dropping off a new, unwrapped toy to one of our office locations)
4. Donate or Volunteer at the Sacramento Food Bank

From tasty appetizers and main meal items to drinks and desserts, these Thanksgiving recipes are sure to impress everyone at the dinner table this year. So get ready to “gobble til you wobble” with these classic Thanksgiving pairings!

Tasty Appetizers: While the mains tend to steal the show on Thanksgiving, these tasty apps will keep your hangry guests happy until dinner is served!

1. Cranberry Brie Bites
2. Turkey Veggie Tray
3. Thanksgiving Deviled Eggs
4. Turkey Cheese Ball
5. Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
6. Crockpot Cranberry BBQ Meatballs
7. Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
8. Roasted Rosemary Cashews
9. Savory Pumpkin Hummus
10. Turkey Fruit Tray

Delicious Mains: You ain’t seen stuffin’ yet! These beloved mains will have your guests running back for seconds!

Let’s Talk Turkey:

1. Traditional Roast Turkey
2. Deep-Fried Turkey
3. BBQ Spice-Brined Grilled Turkey
4. Tofurky Roast

Mashed Potato Mash-Up: 

1. Buttery-Herbed Mashed Potatoes
2. Creamy Mashed Potatoes
3. Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole
4. Scalloped Potatoes
5. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
6. Sweet Potato Casserole
7. Sweet Potatoes & Marshmallows

Please Pass the Sides:

1. Green Bean Casserole
2. Popovers
3. Apple Bacon Cranberry Salad
4. Classic Thanksgiving Stuffing
5. Homemade Cranberry Sauce
6. Mom’s Famous Turkey Gravy
7. Parmesan Roasted Carrots
8. Easy Buttermilk Cornbread
9. Homemade Dinner Rolls
10. Garlic Mushrooms
11. Best Homemade Mac & Cheese

Festive Drinks: From festive cocktails and punches to delicious mocktails, we have a drink for everyone to enjoy!

1. Cranberry Champagne Cocktail
2. Thanksgiving Sangria
3. Smoky Harvest Apple Cider Margarita
4. Apple-Brandy Hot Toddies
5. Thanksgiving Punch (Non-Alcoholic)
6. Apple Cider Mimosas
7. Pumpkin Spice Mules
8. Thanksgiving Jungle Juice
9. Cranberry Jello Shots
10. Cranberry Lime Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)

Delectable Desserts: Give em pumpkin’ to talk about with these over-the-top Thanksgiving pies.

1. Thanksgiving Tri-Pie
2. Grandma’s Apple Pie
3. Perfect Pumpkin Pie
4. Best-Ever Pumpkin Cheesecake
5. Pecan Pie
6. Sweet Potato Pie
7. Cheesecake Apple Pie
8. Skillet Caramel Apple Pie
9. Brown Butter Maple Chess Pie
10. Gingersnap Pumpkin Pie

Whether you’re hosting for the first time or the tenth time, your table sets the tone for your Thanksgiving feast. Create a table that’s dressed to impress with these eye-catching ideas and designs. Bonus: they won’t break the bank.

1. Set the Scene with a Harvest Centerpiece: Set the scene for your Thanksgiving feast with this show-stopping (and all-natural) apples and leaves tablescape, this gorgeous DIY cranberry candle centerpiece, or this pumpkin planter centerpiece. You can also fill the center of your table with a colorful display of pumpkins, gourds, nuts, fruits, veggies, or seasonal blooms.

2. Go Rustic This Year: Add warmth to your Thanksgiving table with white pumpkins and candles to create this lovely rustic table setting. Carry on the rustic theme to each place setting with these rustic wood table name holders and these rustic napkin rings from Amazon.

3. Add a Pop of Color with Florals: Take your Thanksgiving dinner to the next level with flowers galore. Create a simple yet elegant table by pairing your best white dishes with seasonal flowers – think orange, yellow, and red – to add a pop of color to your table.

4. Create a Kid-Friendly Tablescape: Don’t forget about the kiddos! Entertain your younger guests with a kid-friendly tablescape. Simply cover it in craft paper and add crayons to each place setting to keep them drawing all night long.

 

Sending warm, heartfelt wishes from my home to yours this Thanksgiving!

BEWARE! The most spooktacular holiday is just around the corner… that’s right, Halloween is only 13 days away! If you’re thinking of ways to entertain your ghosts and goblins this year, then check out these frightfully festive entertaining ideas, recipes, and tricks for a party that will haunt your guests for years to come. This month’s newsletter also uncovers Halloween-inspired activities and events in the Greater Sacramento area that are to die for. Lastly, we take a closer look at the upcoming fall real estate market. Read on…if you dare!

Looking to elevate your Halloween game with some decor that is fit to fright? Try out these killer decorating ideas that will stop your guests dead in their tracks…

Enter if you dare – these cute yet eerie porch decorations are sure to impress neighbors and trick-or-treaters:

Pumpkin Luminary

Floating Witches Hats

Trick or Treat Door Decorations

Halloween Wreath

Pumpkin Gilded Fall Garland

Halloween Potted Tree

Hanging Black Bats

Spooky Vibes Only Door Mat

Beware of Sign

Eat, drink, and be scary by adding some of these hauntingly gorgeous kitchen accessories and serving pieces to your Halloween collection:

Halloween Charcuterie Board

Witch Hands Snack Bowl Stand

Skeleton Skull Glass Punch Bowl

Hocus Pocus Serving Cauldron

Three-Tiered Witch Broom Snack Stand

Witch Tabletop Server

Skull Serving Tray

Spoon Rest Holder

The Dead Don’t Stir Spoon Rest

Ghost Stoneware Mugs

Halloween Cheese Spreader 4-Piece Set

Create a dinner table to die for with a fabulous centerpiece or festive dining set:

Skulls Table Runner

Crystal Ball Centerpiece

Tree Hand Candle Holder

Halloween-Inspired Candelabra

Apothecary Jar Set

Halloween Luncheon China Plates

Stemless Skeleton Wine Glasses

Ghost Serving Platter

Skeleton Hand Highball Glass

Skull Silverware

Tap into the spirit(s) of the season with this spellbinding living room decor:

See Hear & Speak No Evil Skulls

Life-Size Sitting Skeleton

Pose-n-Stay Puppy Skeleton

Hocus Pocus Spellbook

Fall Throw Blanket in Rust

Pumpkin Candles

Giant Spiced Cider Glass Jar Candle

Halloween-Inspired Throw Pillows

White Glass Pumpkin String Lights

Black Dripping Wax Flameless Candle

Personalized Halloween Wall Decor

Forest Witch Hat Decor

Gold Snake Decor

Let the ghoul times roll by trying out one of the below Halloween playlists to match your mood!

Spotify’s Top Halloween Tracks

Pandora Halloween Playlist

Apple Music Halloween Party Playlist

YouTube Halloween Hits from the 80’s

Disney’s Halloween Playlist

You don’t need a spell to whip up some delicious boos. These creative concoctions (and fun mocktails) will get everyone into the holiday spirit in no time! Pick your poison by trying out one of the below recipes.
Adult Cocktails –

Potion De Muerto Cocktail

Smoking Blackberry Sage Margarita

Shimmery Liqueur Cocktail

Eye Ball Martini

The Vampire Cocktail

Halloween Pumpkin Punch

Black Sangria

Mr. Hyde Potion

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Bleeding Heart Martini

Purple Witches Brew

Shrunken Heads in Cider

 

Mocktails –

Hocus Pocus Halloween Fizz

Swamp Juice

Creepy Shirley Temples

Goosebumps Punch

Little Monster Mocktail

Pumpkin Butterbeer

Sparkling Pumpkin Pie Mocktail

Purple People Eater Punch

Slow Cooker Vampire Punch

Wondering what to brew up in the kitchen? See below for some serious food inspo that will have your guests calling you the ghostess with the mostest!

For starters, try these delicious smokey pumpkin deviled eggs or impress guests with this decadent skeleton meat platter that is not for the faint of the heart. Your little goblins and ghosts will love these easy-to-make hot dog mummies or these creepy-crawly octopus tentacles.
Elevate your side dish game with these skewered eyeballs, which are actually stuffed mushrooms loaded with mozzarella, bacon, and topped with olives. These mashed potato ghosts will have your guests experiencing love at first bite!
Bone Appetit! For mains, try this scary good pumpkin cannelloni dish with sage brown butter sauce or these cider marinated short ribs for a protein-packed dish. This savory boneyard pot pie is packed with fresh veggies and protein to keep your little ones well-nourished for a long night of trick-or-treating. Guests of all ages will appreciate these macolantern and cheese bowls, which can be served as a main or side dish.

 

It’s all treats and no tricks here! From bewitching blood cupcakes to spider cookies, we have a delectable line-up of homemade treats that will have your guests screaming for seconds.

Strawberry Ghosts

Bewitched Halloween Popcorn

Spider Cookies

“Poison” Apples

Screaming Pretzels

Cake Pop Eye Balls

Rice Krispie Treat Monsters

Dracula Dentures

Spider Web Cake

Hocus Pocus Inspired Smore Pops

Haunted Halloween Brownies

Jack O’ Lantern Bowls

Blood Drip Cupcakes

Mummy Apple Pie

Witch’s Hat Cupcakes

Graveyard Chocolate Cheesecake Dip

Pull Apart Graveyard Cupcakes

Halloween Blueberry Mummy Muffins

Dying to watch a good movie? Grab the popcorn, cozy blankets, and find a Halloween flick that matches your mood on one of the below streaming services!

Netflix Line-Up

Hulu Haunts

Amazon Picks

Disney Plus Magic

TV Classics

Sacramento has some fangtastic Halloween events and activities now through the end of October!

1. October 23rd (and Select Days): Spookomotive Train Rides @ The Railroad Museum
2. October 23rd-24th: 34th Annual Safe & Super Halloween at Fairytale Town
3. October 30th: Monster Mash at the Crocker Art Museum
4. October 23rd: Spirits, Brews & Bites in Historic Folsom
5. October 24th & 31st: Fall Concert Series at Historic Folsom Amphitheater
6. October 30th: Trick or Treat FestiFall
7. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
8. Enter a Haunted House (if you dare!)
9. Visit Apple Hill

According to Realtor.com hopeful buyers who keep getting shut out may soon find better luck this fall, as several signs in the housing market point to more potential buying opportunities. For one, competition is reportedly cooling, and listings are receiving fewer offers. In September, the real estate brokerage Redfin reported that bidding wars reached their lowest level this year. Also, more listings are coming to market, offering buyers more choices, according to a Realtor.com report that revealed housing inventory is at a high for 2021. Furthermore, nearly one-third of the 50 largest metros saw increases in the number of newly listed homes compared to last year. Click here to read the full article.

There’s nothing more magical than the start of the fall season, which officially kicks off next week on September 22nd. Fall is synonymous with football Sundays, cool and crisp weather, and of course, pumpkin spice everything. Not to mention, the Greater Sacramento area offers a wide array of recreational activities and events that pay homage to this beautiful season. This month we take a look at local happenings, winning spots to catch your favorite Sunday games, and the fall real estate market. Read on for the full scoop.

We scoured the area and rounded up a number of ways to celebrate the fall season in the Sacramento area (and beyond):

Sacramento:

1. River Cats Schedule
2. Sacramento Kings Schedule
3. Sac Republic FC Schedule
4. Now – September 18th: Farm-to-Fork Festival
5. Now – September 18th: Sacramento PorchFest
6. Now – September 19th: Sacramento Running Week
7. Now – September 30th: DOCO Interactive Art Experience – Verge 16th Annual Open Studios
8. Now – October 10th: Hamilton @ SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center
9. September 16th (And Select Days): Live Music at Crawdads on the River
10. Now-September 31st: Front Street Water Carousel & Waterfront Wheel in Old Sacramento
11. Select Weekends (Friday-Sunday): Old Sacramento Underground & Time Travel Tours
12. September 18th: Country in the Park 2021
13. September 18th-19th: 2021 Crawfish & Catfish Festival 
14. September 24th-26th: California Capital Airshow
15. September 25th: Oktoberfest Midtown Sacramento 2021
16. September 25th: Step into Fall Vendor Festival
17. September 25th (Select Days): Dave’s Pumpkin Patch
18. September 29th: Gold Over America Tour: Starring Simone Biles
19. September 30th: SacJobs Fall Career Fair
20. October 1st: Kane Brown @ Golden 1 Center
21. October 8th – 10th: Sacramento Fall Home Show
22. October 9th: Fall Festival @ Arden Park
23. October 12th: Eagles Live @ Golden 1 Center
24. October 15th: Phish @ Golden 1 Center
25. October 17th: Sacramento Antique Faire
26. October 21st: Dan + Shay @ Golden 1 Center
27. October 23rd: Sacramento SPCA Fall Gala
28. October 23rd: Andrea Bocelli @ Golden 1 Center
29. October 28th-31st: Disney on Ice @ Golden 1 Center

 

Carmichael:

1. Every Sunday: Carmichael Farmers’ Market
2. Every Sunday: Carmichael Cars and Coffee
3. September 24th: 2021 Arthritis Foundation Golf Tournament @ Ancil Hoffman
4. September 25th: Founders Day

 

Fair Oaks:

1. Register Now – September 24th: Village Scarecrow Contest
2. September 18th: Fair Oaks Chicken Festival
3. September 30th: Concerts in the Park
4. October 7th: Food Truck Mania
5. October 30th: Safe(r) Halloween in Old Fair Oaks

 

Folsom:

1. September 17th-18th: American Pops Social
2. September 19th: 2021 Peddler’s Fair
3. September 19th: American Sun – Cash Prophet Concert (Benefitting the Displaced Caldor Fire Families & First Responders)
4. September 25th: 5th Anniversary Jazz Celebration
5. September 26th: The Wedding Expo Experience
6. October 9th: Wild West Film Festival
7. October 16th-17th: Soap Box Derby Days
8. October 23rd: Spirits, Brews & Bites
9. October 24th: RevolutionBeat – Tribute to the Beatles
10. October 30th: Trick or Treat – FesetiFall

 

El Dorado Hills:

1. Every Sunday: El Dorado Hills Certified Farmers’ Market
2. Every Thursday: Live on the Boulevard at El Dorado Hills Town Center
3. September 19th: Gold Country Run & Sport 5K
4. October 2nd: Rotary Wine @ Town Center
5. October 9th: Hands for Hope Fall Festival

 

Elk Grove:

1. Every Thursday: Neighborhood Market
2. Every Saturday: Farmers Market
3. September 25th: 4th Annual Car Show & Harvest Festival
4. September 30th: Cultural Connections: Hispanic Heritage Month Storytellers
5. October 2nd: Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

 

Roseville:

1. Select Saturdays: Fitness in the Park
2. September 16th: Food Truck Mania @ Vernon Street Town Square
3. September 17th: Back to the Future @ Vernon Street Town Square
4. September 25th: Family Fest @ Vernon Street Town Square
5. October 15th: Hocus Pocus  @ Vernon Street Town Square
6. October 24th: Halloween Family Fest

 

Off the Grid:

1. October 1st-3rd: Big Crush 2021 in Amador Wine Country
2. October 21st-24th: Hangtown Music Festival in Placerville
3. See Business Hours: Apple Hill Farms
4. See Business Hours: Go Wine Tasting in Napa
5. See Home Game Schedule: Catch a Niners Game
6. See Fall Colors on a Tahoe Hike

Gearing up for next Sunday’s game? If you’re looking for the perfect spot to cheer on your favorite team, then look no further. Check out some of our top picks below!

For those of you in Carmichael that want to kick back and watch the game with a refreshing drink and some all-American grub, check out Palm Street Pub & Grill — a neighborhood-friendly spot that offers a full-service bar, delicious burgers, wings, and fries. Palm Street also has three pool tables and darts. What more could you ask for?

Thinking of trying a new spot downtown? Pay a visit to Public House Downtown on 16th and L Streets. With 60 beers on tap, 23 flat screens, and two outdoor patios—not to mention mouth-watering burgers and an American-inspired menu—this restaurant is an ideal place for your Sunday hangout.

If you find yourself in Folsom, stop by FLB where you won’t miss a play of your favorite team with 26 flat screens, HD game audio, and all of the major sports packages. They also have killer wraps and salads to keep you fueled for the game.

Last but certainly not least, Bar 101 located in the heart of downtown Roseville is another winning spot to watch your team. With the Sunday Ticket, 33 beers on tap, and 13 HD TVs (and one monster 10 ft screen), you can grab a seat as early as 9:30 and enjoy a hearty breakfast while catching your favorite team.

Summer is almost over, which means the temperatures are about to cool off. And while there’s no guarantee, it looks like the housing market may cool along with it — at least slightly.

According to a recent article from realtor.com, many experts expect that, while the fall buying season will be competitive, it won’t be quite as frenzied as the spring or summer.

One indicator supporting that projection is the pace of price growth. According to the article, the national median home price hit $385,000 the week ending August 14 (the highest on record). That price represented an 8.2 percent increase year over year—a definite increase in price, but significantly less than the 17.2 percent increase from April 2020 to April 2021. Inventory is also starting to increase (according to data from the National Association of REALTORS®,1.32 million homes were available for sale in July 2021—a 7.3 increase from June)—and the more inventory is available in the fall, the easier the home search process will be for buyers.

According to the latest available stats from the Sacramento Association of Realtors, while the active listing inventory decreased 4.7 percent from July to August of 2021, this is reflected in last month’s increase of 23.5 percent from June to July. This means that we are still seeing an increase in active listing inventory, which is up 23.3 percent compared to July 2020. The average days on market are also increasing slightly — up from 12 days to 15 days from the initial listing of the home to the day it goes pending.

Summer is almost over, which means the temperatures are about to cool off. And while there’s no guarantee, it looks like the housing market may cool along with it—at least slightly.

According to a recent article from realtor.com, many experts expect that, while the fall buying season will be competitive, it won’t be quite as frenzied as the spring or summer.

One indicator supporting that projection is the pace of price growth. According to the article, the national median home price hit $385,000 the week ending August 14 (the highest on record). That price represented an 8.2 percent increase year over year—a definite increase in price, but significantly less than the 17.2 percent increase from April 2020 to April 2021. Inventory is also starting to increase (according to data from the National Association of REALTORS®,1.32 million homes were available for sale in July 2021—a 7.3 increase from June)—and the more inventory is available in the fall, the easier the home search process will be for buyers.

So, what does this mean for you? There’s no denying that fall is shaping up to be a competitive season for real estate—but with slowing price growth and increasing inventory, it could prove to be less competitive than it has been for quite a while.

When you redesign your home, you want to design it in a way that feels timely and on-trend. But what does “timely” and “on-trend” look like in 2021? The 2021 Houzz Emerging Home Design Trends Report outlined some of the year’s most popular home design trends, including:

Dedicated activity spaces. Forget craft closets. One of 2021’s biggest trends is creating an entirely dedicated room or space in the home to house the family’s favorite activity—whether that’s an art studio, a home theater, or a wine cellar.

Living room refreshes. Updating their home in general is a priority for many homeowners this year—but the room homeowners seem to be most interested in refreshing? The living room. According to Houzz’s data, searches for living rooms (which can provide homeowners design inspiration) are up 52 percent compared to 2020.

Luxury colors and materials. This year, homeowners are embracing luxury in their home design—with velvet, gold, and crystal accents all in high demand.

Summer may be winding down but there’s still lots in store for residents and visitors alike! Soak in the last of summer with an exciting lineup of concerts, food festivals, River Cats games, airshows, and more. This month, we also explore the current real estate market where things are (finally!) starting to look up for buyers. Last but certainly not least, we’re sharing 2021’s top fall decor trends to get your home ready for the new season…because it’s never too early to stock up on seasonal candles and cozy blankets right? Read on for the full scoop.

Click on the below links to see what local events are taking place now through the end of September!

Sacramento:

1. River Cats Schedule
2. Sac Republic FC Schedule
3. August 20th (And Select Days): Live Music at Crawdads on the River
4. Now-September 31st: Front Street Water Carousel & Waterfront Wheel in Old Sacramento
5. Select Weekends (Friday-Sunday): Old Sacramento Underground & Time Travel Tours
6. August 27th: Tahoe Park Food Trucks 
7. August 28th: 22nd Annual Race for the Arts 5K, Kids Fun Run & Arts Fest
8. September 5th: Chalk it Up 2021
9. September 9th-18th: Farm to Fork Festival (In Person)
10. September 9th: Legends of Wine
11. September 10th: Joe Rogan @ Golden1 Center
12. September 11th-12th: Sacramento Grilled Cheese Festival
13. September 11th (Every Second Saturday): Dance on the Edge @ Old Sacramento Waterfront
14. September 11th: Alejandro Fernandez @ Golden1 Center
15. September 12th: Tower Bridge Dinner 2021
16. September 18th: Country in the Park 2021
17. September 18th-19th: 2021 Crawfish & Catfish Festival 
18. September 24th: Tahoe Park Food Trucks
19. September 24th-26th: California Capital Airshow
20. September 29th: Gold Over America Tour: Starring Simone Biles

Carmichael:

1. Every Sunday: Carmichael Farmers’ Market
2. Every Sunday: Carmichael Cars and Coffee
3. August 21st & 28th: Concerts in the Park
4. September 25th: Founders Day

 

Fair Oaks:

1. August 26th & September 30th: Concerts in the Park
2. August 27th: Comedy Under the Stars
3. August 28th: Theatre Under the Stars

 

Rancho Cordova/Gold River:

1. Every Saturday: Sunrise Light Rail Station Farmers Market
2. August 18th (And Select Days):  At at City Hall: Abstraction
3. August 20th (And Select Days): Movies at the MACC
4. August 20th (And Select Days): Friday Night Concerts

 

Folsom:

1. August 19th & 26th: Twilight Concert Series in Historic Folsom
2. Every Saturday: Cars and Coffee Show at Folsom Palladio
3. August 21st: Health & Wellness Fair
4. August 27th: Rick Esterling Piano & Vocals
5. September 2nd: Ryan Hernandez & Band 
6. September 17th-18th: American Pops Social
7. September 19th: 2021 Peddler’s Fair
8. September 25th: 5th Anniversary Jazz Celebration
9. September 26th: The Wedding Expo Experience

 

El Dorado Hills:

1. Every Sunday: El Dorado Hills Certified Farmers’ Market
2. Every Thursday: Live on the Boulevard at El Dorado Hills Town Center
3. September 19th: Gold Country Run & Sport 5K

Elk Grove:

1. Every Thursday: Neighborhood Market
2. Every Saturday: Farmers Market
3. August 20th & 27th: Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
4. August 19th (And Select Days): Diversity Month
5. September 1st: Food Truck Mania
6. September 4th: Read to A Dog
7. September 30th: Cultural Connections: Hispanic Heritage Month Storytellers

Roseville:

1. August 19th: Food Truck Mania
2. August 20th & September 17th: Friday Flicks at Vernon Street Town Square
3. August 21st & September 18th: Concerts on the Square at Vernon Street in Roseville

 

Rocklin:

1. Now-September (Select Days): Concerts at the Quarry
2. August 27th & September 24th: FREE Farmers Markets at Johnson-Springview Park

Low inventory in markets across the country have been driving up prices and creating bidding wars, making it extremely difficult for many potential buyers to successfully find and purchase homes. But it looks like things are (finally!) starting to look up for buyers.

According to realtor.com’s Monthly Housing Report for July 2021, while inventory is still low, more homes are starting to hit the market. New home listings were up 6.5 percent nationally year-over-year—and up even more (11.1 percent) in large metro areas. The more homes that become available, the more options there are for buyers—and the more the market shifts in their favor. In Sacramento, the active listing inventory went up 23.5% from June to July of this year according to SAR!

“July housing trends show a market still working its way back toward some version of normal. The feverish pace of home sales is beginning to follow historical seasonal patterns, while new listings grew at an unusually high rate for the summer months, further helping the inventory crunch,” Danielle Hale, chief economist for realtor.com, said in a recent press release. “This is shifting the housing market balance in a more buyer-friendly direction.”

So, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been struggling in your home search, the new inventory hitting the market could make it easier to successfully find and purchase a home—so get out there and start looking!

If you’re thinking about doing a bit of re-decorating to get your home ready for fall (which officially starts on September 22nd), make sure you’re on-trend by embracing all things cozy! Here are some of the top fall decor trends for 2021.

Velvet: It’s time to bring on the velvet! As far as upholstery is concerned, fall’s biggest trend is velvet – and we couldn’t be happier since this texture is perfect for creating a cozy, fall-ready ambiance. Think in terms of velvet layers, like the pillows and sofa pictured above. And don’t be afraid to embrace bold, cooler colors.

Leaves & Textures: Fall is synonymous with warm colors and cozy textures. Consider adding pumpkins and fall leaves to dining tables and family rooms to help bring that fresh fall feel into all areas of the home. You can also get creative with textures – from textured pillows, blankets, and even tabletop items such as figs and cotton – the sky is the limit!

Tarnish Accents: Cozy goes beyond fabrics and upholstery. When redecorating your home, consider incorporating distressed metals into your design to bring that soft glow into your home. Think accent tables, wall shelves, candle holders and centerpieces.

Candles: It’s hard to imagine with the recent heatwaves, but once the wind picks up and the leaves start to fall, candles will be sure to bring that warm and inviting feeling into your home – they also serve as beautiful decor and fill the home with cozy scents. Place a few votives on the fireplace, entryway table or outdoor patio to illuminate your home and add a touch of elegance.

Chunky Knits: It should come as no surprise that the arrival of fall will bring knits in every form– from sweaters and scarves to throw blankets! Knit throw blankets and pillows are a fall design favorite, but they can also work year-round when kept in neutral shades like creamy white or soft brown. You can also layer rugs, throws, and pillows along with warm colors to bring coziness into all areas of your home.

Pumpkin + Chocolate: Step aside pumpkin lattes because sweet is taking on a whole new meaning for your fall decor. Consider incorporating touches of orange and brown, in shades such as pumpkin and chocolate, to warm up any room in your home.