Santa Monica Monthly – May 2025

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Mortgage Rates Ease: Will It Spark Spring Home Sales?

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Although mortgage rates have slipped below their early-year averages, many buyers remain hesitant.

This spring, homebuyers are accessing lower rates than they could a year ago, when rates surpassed 7%. Currently, the average 30-year fixed rate stands at 6.76%. Still, many would-be buyers are holding back.

The Mortgage Bankers Association reported on April 30 that purchase mortgage applications—often seen as a sign of future homebuying—dropped 4% from the previous week, with conventional loan applications down 6%.

Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, explained that ongoing economic uncertainty continues to weigh on buyer activity. While buyers remain sensitive to rate shifts, some economists believe that further rate declines could help release pent-up demand as the spring season unfolds.

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Food Obsession of the Month

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Green Goddess Pasta Salad

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Here’s a vibrant, modern twist on pasta salad—lighter, greener, and more flavour-packed than the usual potluck fare. Tossed in a zesty green goddess dressing and loaded with fresh veggies, it leans more toward a salad than a traditional pasta dish, but don’t worry—there’s still plenty of pasta in the mix. It’s perfect as a side with grilled chicken or baked salmon, yet hearty enough to stand on its own as a vegetarian main.

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Source: Delish

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Celebrate Pride With Us!

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The Regina Vannicola Real Estate Group is gearing up for our 3rd Annual Big Gay Bake Sale on June 14 2025 — so save the date! We’d love for you to be part of it!

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Last year, with the incredible support of our community, we raised over $4,000 for the Los Angeles LGBT Center. This year, we’re aiming even higher with a goal of $5,000 to support this vital organization.

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We’re inviting local businesses and bakeries to contribute by donating baked goods or funds to help us purchase them. In return, sponsors will receive recognition through social media features, mentions in our newsletters, and promotional materials for the event.

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Whether you’re a bakery, a business, or just someone who loves to give back, this is a sweet opportunity to support a great cause and connect with the vibrant Westside community. Event details are coming soon, but we can’t wait to bring everyone together for a fun-filled day of sweet treats and community support.

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If you’d like to make a donation, feel free to reach out directly to Sebastian Lorefice at sebastian@reginavannicola.com or just respond to this email.

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Let us know if you’d like to be involved — and stay tuned for updates! 🌈

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