Once Thanksgiving is over, the real estate world typically starts to wind down for the holidays and doesn’t usually reawaken until after New Year’s. But potential home buyers who are prepared to close in today’s competitive market may want to keep house hunting while everyone else is waiting for spring.
REALTORS® especially recommend that serious home buyers continue shopping if they have repeatedly lost out on deals because of a limited and continually decreasing supply of homes. Buying intensity typically cools down at the start of fall through early January, which could increase the odds for those with more patience.
Would-be buyers historically have bowed out during the winter season because they are overwhelmed by holiday spending and commitments. There’s also the aversion of moving in the middle of a school year. Consumer interest typically picks back up again in the New Year and peaks in the spring.
Certain buyers may be well-served to buy during the winter because of sellers who must move for various reasons including a job change or transfer or the possible sunsetting of the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act, which lets certain home sellers get tax relief on mortgage debt forgiven by lenders. The possible expiration has pushed home sellers to list and short sell their homes before year’s end.
Winner of the 10th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire Best of Show winner Wanda Dunn of Penn Valley
Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results
A successful canned food drive, more than 100 vendors, and 55 gingerbread houses built made the 28th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.
The 10th Annual Gingerbread House Competition was once again a crowd favorite, with 55 entries received. Of those entries, the Best of Show winner was Wanda Dunn of Penn Valley, and the People’s Choice Award went to Kathy Kinney of Penn Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Craft Faire.
First place winners in the traditional categories include MaKenna Chapman, Preston Lancaster, and Finn Becker (child 5 & under); Owen Strolle, and Delaney Aday (child – ages 6-8); Aiden Keller (child – ages 9-12); Joe Ceselini (kits – ages 8 & under); Ariana Hoffman (teen – ages 13-17); Sherry Andreini (adult – 18 -64); Mary Abbott (adult – 65 & over); GVSD ASP Scotten Kindergarten, and Baylie and Brina Stratton (group – children).
First place winners in the non-traditional categories include Corbin Beals (child 5 & under); Keegan Thompson (child – ages 9 – 12); Toria Kinney (teen – ages 13-17); Wanda Dunn (adult – ages 18 – 64); GVSD ASP Scotten 3rd and 4th grade (group – children); The Jimenez Family (group – family); and Joanne Perilman and Company (group – adult 18 & over).
Winner of the 10th Annual Gingerbread House Competition of the County Christmas Faire People’s Choice winner Kathy Kinney of Penn Valley
With the help of HOPE (Help Other People Eat) in Nevada County, Sunday’s canned food drive collected more than 480 pounds of non-perishable canned food, which is enough to feed 20 families for a month. These donations will be used at the organization’s December 15 food distribution. HOPE in Nevada County is a program established through the Grass Valley Elks, who partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County to feed those in need. HOPE distributes food on the third Saturday of every month to anyone in the county in need of food and emergency food. Additionally, the Wellmon family, who operate the Grinders food booth at the Country Christmas Faire, received $175 in tips at the event, and will match that amount and donate $350 to the local Food Bank.
The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found on the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. The 2013 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 29, 30 and December 1.
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Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com