Santa Monica Monthly – June 2025

You're Invited to Celebrate Pride With Us!

Support from the Community, for the Community

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You’re officially invited to the 3rd Annual Big Gay Bake Sale, hosted by the Regina Vannicola Real Estate Group, on June 14, 2025, from 11AM to 2PM at 1333 Montana Ave, Santa Monica.
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Last year we raised over $4,000 for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. This year we’re aiming for $5,000. Join us for sweet treats, Pride vibes, and a great cause.
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Want to donate, contribute, or just stop by? Email regina@reginavannicola.com or reply to this message.
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Let’s make it the biggest, gayest, sweetest bake sale yet. 💖🍪

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Add the event to your calendar:

Click HERE 

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Is It Time to Stop Focusing So Much on Mortgage Rates?

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Instead of holding out for lower rates, prospective buyers may want to shift their attention to overall monthly housing costs to better understand what fits their budget.
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Homebuyers might have to come to terms with a new normal: mortgage rates hovering in the high 6% to 7% range, at least for now. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed to 6.89% this week.
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Jessica Lautz, deputy chief economist at the National Association of REALTORS®, explains that the recent uptick reflects market reactions to broader economic developments, including changes in government credit ratings and trade policy news. "Regardless of the cause, buyers holding out for significantly lower rates may be in for a long wait," she notes.
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At the current average rate, a buyer purchasing a $400,000 home with a 20% down payment would face a monthly mortgage of roughly $2,105. With just 10% down, the monthly cost rises to around $2,369.

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Food Obsession of the Month

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Monte Cristo Rolls

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This sweet and savory take on a Monte Cristo layers ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, and berry jam into a roll, similar to a cinnamon roll, then bakes it in a French toast-style batter. Quick to make with simple ingredients, it's a great last-minute brunch option.

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Source: Delish

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