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Gavin’s HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS
JANUARY 2025
WELCOME TO THE WORLD, NELL WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999
The First Moments of Life With Our Baby Girl
From the moment I held my daughter in my arms for the first time, I knew life would never be the same. After days of anticipation — including contractions on Thanksgiving and a whirlwind of preparations for home birth — we finally got to welcome our beautiful firstborn, Nellsen Leonora Vargas, on Friday, Nov. 29th. With her arrival comes an overwhelming sense of joy, gratitude, a little awe and a lot of excitement. Little Nellie’s birth was a memorable one. My wife started to get contractions on Tuesday night, which continued to amplify throughout the week. By the time Thanksgiving came around, we knew the big day was drawing near. As everyone finished their turkey or took naps after the holiday festivities, we called our doula, a woman who has been providing guidance and support for our planned home birth. I was thankful to have the extra support. As happy as I was to be at my wife’s side during this exciting time, I was a first-timer. And I appreciate the support and perspective of an experienced woman. Audra Byrd was
our doula and supported Alex throughout the night, and after just a couple of hours of sleep for me, I got up and began preparing the birthing tub in the wee hours of the morning Friday. But we quickly ran out of hot water. I got to work, boiling pot after pot of water for an hour straight until we filled the tub. After two or three hours of active labor, I was blessed to safely receive her into the world, a healthy, beautiful baby with a roaring cry! Even though we have been preparing for Nellie, or Nell as we have been calling her lately, for nine months, it didn’t really feel quite real until she arrived. We did everything we could to have all the necessary supplies ready, and we’re just focusing on being the best parents we can for her. It’s humbling and a little crazy to realize a new life has begun in our home. We created another human in this world and look forward to all the memories ahead. We are so grateful for Nell’s good health, and deeply fortunate that we get to be her parents. My wife has always been a beacon of strength in my life; honestly, she’s way tougher than me in a lot of ways. Watching her give birth gave me an even deeper respect and appreciation for her and all women. To see this process in real-time makes you truly understand the strength and power required to be a mom. We are still brand new parents and learning, but my wife is already a fantastic mom. She stays home to care for Nell while I’m at work, and in the evenings, I take over diaper duty and play games with her. I’m most looking forward to setting a good example for my daughter, teaching her to always
be grateful for the little things and to seize opportunities to serve others. Many people have told me that when you become a parent, you get a chance to be a kid again, and I know there are many things I’m going to relearn or experience for the first time. We are looking forward to sharing the best we have and are with her, helping her grow into the person she was made to be while also learning from her and becoming the parents we have been called to be. Alex and I have been fortunate to have many incredible mentors and influences throughout our life. Now it’s time to recall the wisdom and values instilled in us over the years to be able to model and pass these traits down to her. Nell is the first of her generation for our families, a new beginning with so many loving people around her. With all of her aunts, uncles and grandparents, she has a great network of role models to help us guide her and shower her with love. I’m incredibly grateful to welcome our healthy, beautiful baby into the world and can’t wait for the many firsts that will come on this journey. —Gavin Vargas
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NEW YEAR, NEW HOME GOALS Step 1: Get Pre-Approved or At Least, Pre-Qualified (yes, there is a difference)
If buying or selling a home is on your New Year’s resolution list in 2025, now is the perfect time to step back to assess your plans and prepare. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer, upsizing, or making an investment move, ensuring your finances are in order is the crucial first step. As exciting as this milestone can be, make sure you set realistic expectations of your budget, how much you can list your home for if applicable, and determine the best financing strategies for your goals and preferences. Before you start touring homes or terms of potential offers, meeting with a trusted mortgage expert to get a plan in place will allow you to move forward with clarity, confidence, and effectiveness. Be honest with yourself. Every seller wants to sell their home for the highest possible price, but if it was as simple as listing it for whatever price we wanted to sell for, well, you can understand why that just wouldn’t get the job done.
When budgeting for your next home, stay conservative on your estimated net proceeds, as overestimating the value of your home can lead to challenges in the selling process and cause the purchase to be stressful or even not attainable. If you plan to sell to buy, you will want to receive the opinion from at least one real estate professional who is active in the current market.
offer and obtain your loan. You can also run scenarios with your lender to allow you to process, digest, and brainstorm the best offer for you. Some are worried about getting pre-approved due to the credit inquiry, which may ding their score a point or two. If this is you, just tell your lender you’d like to hold off on the hard credit inquiry and just go off your best guess or a “soft pull.” Of course, the numbers will be subject to change if your credit score is different than what you believe it to be. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Lenders are a valuable resource, and starting a conversation early is well worth your time so you can make the most informed choices about your purchase or sale. They can offer various financial products and insights tailored to your needs. Remember, asking questions won’t cost you anything but will provide you with tools and resources to get closer to your home goals.
Understand and plan your financing early.
Many people can sometimes assume they can or can’t qualify for a loan or certain price point before thoroughly exploring their financing options. Meet with your lender early, and don’t give up too quickly. Due to recent shifts in the mortgage world, banks are more willing to provide loans and competitive pricing for lower credit scores and/or lower down payments. By getting preapproved, you ensure there will be no hang-ups for when you need to make your
Make the Most of Your Exposed Brick With These Design Tips BRICK BY BRICK
Whether your home has a rustic brick chimney or a bold brick accent wall, it’s all about balancing brick’s raw, textured charm with your style. Here’s how to make the most of this distinctive feature in your home. Highlight the heritage. Exposed brick can bring your space back in time, adding antique elegance. To amplify this charm, incorporate decor with a vintage flair. Think weathered wood, classic paintings, and ornate rugs that complement the brick’s rustic tones. Mix it with the modern. Who says old and new can’t mingle? Pairing exposed brick with modern elements creates a contrast that catches the eye. Opt for minimalist designs like sleek black countertops or glossy white surfaces.
Focus on the brick. Let your exposed brick wall take center stage by keeping surrounding elements understated. A neutral color scheme with white, soft gray, or earth tones will let the brick’s rich texture and color shine through.
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Winter in the Tri-Cities of Washington is a season brimming with outdoor activities, perfect for making lasting memories with your family. Whether you’re hitting the slopes for skiing, exploring nature trails in one of the area’s parks, or bundling up for fishing on the Columbia River, there’s something for everyone to enjoy about this beautiful time of year. So, layer up, gather your loved ones, and get ready to swap screen time for quality time with these family-friendly activities! Explore the winter beauty of tri-cities parks. If you’re looking to enjoy the beautiful winter sights right in your own backyard, the Tri-Cities are home to several scenic local parks. Howard Amon Park in Richland is a community favorite for strolls in January, offering easy access to the Riverfront Trail, a paved four-mile path. Other popular parks include Leslie Groves Park in North Richland, Claybell Park, Columbia Park, Two Rivers, Charbonneau, and many other hidden gems. Especially in the cooler weather with less foot traffic and possibly precipitation or wind, there is a better chance of spotting and observing the local wildlife. Keep your eyes open for deer, coyotes, beavers, otters, and even an occasional fox. Go fishing on the Columbia River. The Columbia River is one of the best sportfishing destinations in the country, and in winter, it offers opportunities to reel in trophy walleye and sturgeon. The Columbia Park Fishing Pond is an ideal spot to set up for a day of angling with your loved ones. The warm-water pond is the first of its kind in the state and is popular for its wide array of warm-water fish species. Discover snowy spots for skiing and sledding. Though our mild winters don’t always bring snow, there are great destinations for skiing and sledding just outside the Tri-Cities. Bluewood Ski Area is just over a brief hour-long drive and offers runs for the beginner up to the advanced in the tranquil setting of the Blue Mountains. The next closest local favorite would probably be White Pass just outside of Naches, Washington, which is just over a two-hour drive from the Tri-Cities. Several other mountains surround the area in almost every direction, producing endless adventures and fun for many winters to come. Winter in the Tri-Cities brings a wealth of affordable outdoor activities for your entire family to enjoy together. Whether you explore the beautiful parks or trek to a snowy destination, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season! Winter Fun for the Whole Family in Tri-Cities Chilly Days, Warm Memories
Winner Winner Potluck Dinner
Inspired by TasteOfHome.com
Ingredients
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1 cup finely chopped onion
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1 lb ground beef Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 cup water
2 cans (10-3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 1 can (5 oz) chow mein noodles, divided
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3 tbsp butter
2 cups sliced, peeled potatoes
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2 cups finely chopped celery 1 cup finely chopped carrots
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook and crumble beef until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. 2. In the same skillet, add butter and sauté potatoes, celery, carrots, green pepper, and onion for about 5 minutes. Add water, cover, and simmer for 4–5 minutes. Stir in soup and beef until well incorporated. 3. Sprinkle half the chow mein noodles into a greased, shallow 2-qt baking dish, and spoon meat mixture over noodles. Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Top with cheese and remaining noodles. Bake, uncovered, another 10 minutes or until heated through.
Solution on Page 4
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2 1 INSIDE A First-Time Dad’s Story Tips for Realistic Pricing and Smart Financing Creative Ways to Design Around Exposed Brick
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Ski, Sled, and Fish Your Way Through the Season
Winner Winner Potluck Dinner
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Tips for a Tidy Food Area
Transform Your Food Zone SECRETS TO A SPOTLESS PANTRY
Depending on how you organize your home, your pantry is either a tidy spot for storing snacks or a dungeon-like display of disorganization. If a walk-through of your current space would give Gordon Ramsay a
kitchen nightmare, here are three ways to whip it into shape.
into containers that will preserve freshness longer and occupy less space? You’ll create extra room for small kitchen appliances that may get in your way. Repurpose and Revitalize If you need new ways to store items, look around the rest of your house before spending money at the store. Why purchase new containers when the glass jars you’d otherwise recycle would work just as well? After removing the labels, a good wash and rinse is often all it takes to make them as good as new. Do you have baskets or bins in your home you aren’t using to hold much? Empty and repurpose them to store more goodies at less cost. It’s incredible how often we burn through cash on new items when we already have plenty of things that could serve the same purpose. All you need is a little imagination!
Purge and Polish Before you do anything else, empty out the contents of your pantry entirely. You heard that right — everything must go! Move all your items to another room, check all expiration dates, and dispose of everything that’s gone bad. Next, check the quality of your pantry shelves and replace any that could pose a safety risk — or create a colossal mess — if they were to collapse. Next, wipe down and disinfect the entire area before filling it up again with the food items you decide to keep. Decrease and Declutter Now that you’ve determined what stays and what goes, look for ways to rearrange your pantry further. For example, cereal boxes are space-killers, so why not pour their contents
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