Santa Monica Monthly – May 2024

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Housing Market Predictions For 2024: When Will Home Prices Be Affordable Again?

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Elevated mortgage rates, out-of-reach home prices and record-low housing stock are the perennial weeds that experts say hopeful home buyers can expect to contend with this spring—and beyond.

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“The housing market is likely to continue to face the dual affordability constraints of high home prices and elevated interest rates in 2024,” said Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae, in an emailed statement. “Hotter-than-expected inflation data and strong payroll numbers are likely to apply more upward pressure to mortgage rates this year than we’d previously forecast.”

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Despite ongoing affordability hurdles, Fannie Mae forecasts an increase in home sales transactions compared to last year. Experts also anticipate a slower rise in home prices this year compared to recent years, but price fluctuations will continue to vary regionally and depend strongly on local market supply.

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Read more... forbes.com

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6 Terrible Homebuyer Habits You Should Ditch If You Want To Score a House This Spring

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Thinking of buying a home right now? You’re certainly not alone, as we’re sure you’ve noticed. With the busiest season for house hunting well underway, sellers are throwing open their doors—and buyers (aka your competition) are showing up in droves.

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So how do you win when so many others are also vying for your dream home? Well, first you have to make sure not to screw up the job.

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We’re not pointing fingers here. It’s normal to make some missteps along the way, whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned pro. After all, the housing market has been brutal recently, with high mortgage rates and high home prices grinding down buyers.

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Read more... realtor.com

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SAVE THE DATE! JUNE 15TH, 11AM - 2PM

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The Regina Vannicola Real Estate Group & Melanie Sommers Team is excited to announce our 2nd Annual Big Gay Bake Sale in support of Pride Month.

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If you are interested in participating in the event or donating to the Los Angeles LGBT Center please contact info@reginavannicola.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you on June 15th!

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Food Obsession of the Month

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Let's be honest, Samoas are the best Girl Scout cookies. The glorious combination of toasted coconut, caramel, chocolate, and shortbread is a true dream.

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Source: delish.com

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Ingredients

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FOR THE CRUST:

• Cooking spray
• 2 c. almond flour
• 1/4 c. Swerve confectioners'
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) melted butter

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FOR FILLING:

• 1/4 c. (½ stick) butter
• 2/3 c. Swerve confectioners'
• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 1/2 c. toasted unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 c. keto-friendly chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp. coconut butter

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Instructions

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• Make crust: Preheat oven to 350º and line a 9"-x-9" baking pan with parchment paper; grease with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together almond flour, Swerve, and salt. Add melted butter and stir to combine.
• Press mixture into prepared pan in an even layer and bake until lightly golden, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the filling: Add butter to a small saucepan over medium-low heat. When butter has melted and foam has subsided, stir in Swerve, cream, vanilla, and salt. Bring mixture to a low simmer and cook, untouched, for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes, transfer caramel to a heat-proof bowl and add shredded coconut. Stir in coconut and transfer to baked crust.
• Smooth into an even layer, let cool to room temperature, then transfer to refrigerator to firm up, about 1 hour.
• When ready to serve, combine chocolate chips and coconut butter in a medium microwavable bowl and microwave until melted.
• Stir to combine and drizzle over coconut. Chill 5 minutes in the refrigerator, then cut into bars and serve.

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Local Happenings

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Cinco De Mayo Pub Crawl

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May 4th

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Time to put those Sombreros on and head out for the Ultimate Fiesta! If you are looking for the best way to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo holiday; then look no further. Join us for the biggest non-stop fiesta bar crawl in West LA with amazing drink specials and tons of Cinco de Mayo fun on Saturday, May 4th, 5PM to 2AM.

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The annual Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl party starts at Ashland Hill and continues on to some of Santa Monica’s best bars with exclusive deals on drinks.

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More info HERE

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Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

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May 12, 2024, 12-3:30pm

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101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica CA

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Spend the afternoon nibbling on savory smoked salmon and cucumber mint sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and house-made preserves, followed by a selection delightful sweets. Enjoy sipping and swirling a selection of freshly brewed Lot 35 loose-leaf teas from Fairmont's exclusive luxury tea collection, served on our brand-new garden-inspired Bernardaud porcelain.

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More info HERE

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Justin Timberlake Concert

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May 17th, 2024, 8:00 PM

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Easily route your commute to & from Kia Forum stadium from Shore Hotel for the Justin Timberlake Concert via car ride, ride share services and/or Metro Transit services. Shore Hotel has got your lodging needs covered.

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More info HERE

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Lifestyle Tips & Tricks

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Time to Sell Your Home? Here are Three Questions to Ask Yourself....

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These questions can ensure that you're making the right choice for yourself and your family.

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Question One: Why are you selling – and why now?

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The first question you need to ask yourself is why you're considering selling your home and why now is the right time to do so. For many, this decision stems from a variety of factors, ranging from dissatisfaction with their current location to financial considerations.

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Question Two: Can you afford to sell and buy again?

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Once you've clarified your motivations for selling, the next question to ask yourself is whether you can afford to sell your current home and purchase a new one. This involves considering not only the potential profit from selling but also the costs associated with buying a new property.

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Read more... foxbusiness.com

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80% of Households are Spring Cleaning

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Eighty percent of U.S. households are engaging in spring cleaning this year, according to the American Cleaning Institute...

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Courtesy of Forbes

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Architectural Digest Releases 2024 Outdoor Forecast

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The pandemic single-handedly impacted how we live in our homes both indoors and outdoors. While outdoor spaces were hardly an afterthought at the time—in recent years, homeowners have been more focused on how to elevate...

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Courtesy of Forbes

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