Today is the day!! Opening day of the Fallbrook Farmers’ Market kicks off in just a few hours! The weather is beautiful to come out and grab some fresh veggies and goodies to enjoy for dinner! Open from 4 pm to 7 pm!

We also want everyone to feel safe joining us for the season so here are a few guidelines we have in place to do just that:

• Vendors will be spaced 10′ apart
• All vendors and volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves
• Hand sanitizer will be available
• One way walking directions are laid out to reduce people crossing paths
• No reusable bags are allowed, we will be providing paper bags to carry your goods in
• As much as we love your furry friends, please leave them at home

We are happy to be able to put our market together to get local produce in the hands of our community! Please help us keep everyone safe and keep in mind social distancing and please wear a mask if you are able!

Look forward to seeing everyone this afternoon!!

Including contingencies in your contract can help protect you, your finances and your family when buying a home.

Here are some important ones to consider:

• Home inspection contingency, which allows you to have the home inspected
• Appraisal contingency, which protects you from owing extra money should your lender’s appraisal come in low
• Financing contingency, which allows you to back out if your mortgage loan doesn’t come through
• Sale contingency, which says your purchase is only valid if you’re able to sell your existing home first

Make sure to talk through possible contingencies with your agent before making an offer. The most appropriate ones vary from buyer to buyer.

Embracing the festive season can be a great way to make your home more marketable this winter.

Is your home currently for sale? Consider these tips:

• Add a festive wreath to the door and potted chrysanthemums on the porch.
• Clean up the fireplace and set up fresh logs. You can even light a fire before the buyers arrive.
• Install twinkling lights along your front and back porch to create a more welcoming atmosphere.
• Spray festive scents like pine, peppermint or apple pie in the main living areas.

Buyers want a place where they can spend their own future holidays with loved ones. Embrace the season and show them your house is that place!

Moving can be expensive. From packing supplies and movers to rental vans and gas, the costs can add up quickly.

Want to save on your upcoming move? Here’s how:

• Get free boxes from local grocery and convenience stores.
• Use recycled mailers, flyers and newspapers as packing materials.
• Declutter and donate first to cut down on your load.
• Call in friends, family and coworkers for help with manual labor.

Make sure to save receipts for your moving expenses, too. Many moving costs can be deducted from your annual tax returns. Consult a certified accountant if you’re not sure how to proceed with this.

It can be hard keeping the yard lush and beautiful in the cold winter months, and if your property is on the market, curb appeal is more important than ever.

Here’s how to keep it up in winter:

• Invest in hardy foliage. Ferns, witch hazel and even pansies hold up well in winter.
• Keep it tidy. Edge, clear away leaves and debris, and shovel the walkways. Clean your gutters often.
• Repaint your exterior. Give the shutters and door a fresh coat of paint, and clean any exposed brick or stucco.

Talk to your agent for ways to up your specific property’s curb appeal this winter.

Buying a home can be overwhelming — especially for first-time buyers.

Want to make sure you do it right? Avoid these all-too-common first-timer mistakes:

1. Not getting to know the neighborhood. Walk around, drive the streets, and make sure it’s a place that feels safe and has the amenities you’re looking for.
2. Forgetting to think long-term. Even if you don’t have kids just yet, look at school districts and playgrounds.
3. Skipping pre-approval. Getting pre-approved for a mortgage doesn’t just make your home purchase easier; it helps point you toward an appropriate price range, too.

Forgoing an agent’s help can be a big mistake, too. Make sure you reach out for guidance!

Going to a showing soon? Make sure to ask these questions as your tour the property:

1. Does it look maintained and well-cared for? If it doesn’t, there may be costly repairs necessary.
2. Will this fit my needs? Evaluate space, storage, layout, etc.
3. Is there work to be done to get it to my liking? If you’ll need to do renovations, you will want to factor this into your decision (and make sure it will fit your budget).
4. Will it fit in with your long-term goals? Is there room to raise kids or a yard for your future pups?

Tap your agent for guidance, too. We’re there to help!

About the Fallbrook Penrose Cottages:

Advantages:

• Average cottage price is $330,000+
• Only a five month building process from start to finish
• 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom designs
• Luxury amenities such as granite countertops, vaulted ceilings and refined fixtures and finishes
• No lawn maintenance

Not every showing will turn out to be “the one.”

Want to make sure you don’t make an offer on a dud property? Watch for these red flags:

• Signs of poor care/maintenance. If there are obvious signs of poor maintenance, you can bet there are deeper, less visible ones, too.
• Strange smells or odors. These can indicate pets, rotting food, mold or mildew (some of which can be dangerous!)
• Bad neighbors. Trash on the yard next door? Cars all over the street? These all point to potentially bad neighbors.

Make sure to bring an agent along with you. They’ll make sure no red flags go unnoticed.

Technology has made finding the perfect home easier than ever.

Need help finding the right properties for your home search? Here are the 5 best apps to do it:

1. The Realtor.com app for browsing listings and finding potential properties
2. Dwellr to learn more about the neighborhood you’re buying in
3. Homesnap, which lets you coordinate your home search with your spouse or co-buyer
4. Xome if foreclosures and auction properties are on your radar
5. Quicken Loans Mortgage Calculator for determining what you can afford

Make sure to tap your agent, too. They can set up custom listing alerts, which notify you real-time when a home that meets your requirements hits the market.