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Gavin’s HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS
FEBRUARY 2026
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With Presidents’ Day and National Leadership Day this month, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to be a good leader. Leadership is actually something that’s on my mind quite often, but I’m not necessarily talking about the kind of leadership you need to run a country. I’m more interested in the leadership that helps on a regular Tuesday at home or the office. There’s an old book by Napoleon Hill that I keep going back to. In “Think and Grow Rich,” he outlines his 11 major attributes of leadership. Even though it was written several decades ago, I think a lot of it still applies today. Things like taking responsibility, having self-control, and being willing to do more than is required have shaped how I show up for my family, my clients, and the people I work with. One of the big ideas that stuck with me is responsibility. A leader takes ownership of everything they touch. You can and should hand tasks off to other people, but you still own the result. If something falls through the cracks, it isn’t the “market” or “the team.” It is on us to set people up for success, give clear expectations, and fix it when we miss. I also believe a leader’s example matters more than any title. The person in charge sets the tone in the office. Sometimes, that means being the first one in or the last one to leave. Often, it just means doing the unglamorous work that needs to get done and not asking anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself. I saw that in my grandfather. The way he carried himself in business and in our family pushed me, and a lot of others, further than we thought we could go. That’s how I think about leadership. For me, it comes down to taking responsibility and helping people reach, and sometimes surpass, what they thought was their full potential. You can see the same idea in places far from real estate. As a baseball fan, I think of the LA Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts. Every year, they start with a big payroll and high expectations. But last year, they had injuries and pressure. They still won a lot of games and went on to win the World Series for the second year in a row. That tells me there is strong leadership in the clubhouse that is keeping people together when things aren’t going smoothly. At the office, strong leadership is also important, but it shows up in smaller, everyday moments. Different people respond to different leadership styles. Some do well with a firm push. Others shut down if voices get raised. Most do their best work when they know what is expected. For any of that to work, people have to trust you. They need to know you care about their success and not just your own. A big part of the job is helping Leading Without the Spotlight SHOWING UP WHEN IT COUNTS
them see they can do a little more than they think they can, without just barking orders. I see the same need for steady leadership when I am working with clients. A real estate deal can turn on a single phone call. An inspection report comes back with bad news. A lender changes terms late in the process. In these moments, I try to be the calm in the storm. My job is to keep a clear head, explain what changed, talk through the options, and help everyone move forward. I certainly don’t have leadership all figured out. But I do know that if I keep taking responsibility, care about the people around me, and try to be the calm person in the room, I am moving in the right direction.
—Gavin Vargas
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Getting Ahead Before Spring
Prep Now for Your Next Move
If you’re thinking about buying or selling, this time of year can have you feeling like things are on hold. It’s not that the market is necessarily different, but the period between the end of winter and the beginning of spring has a way of slowing things down. But even with the unpredictable weather and limited daylight, there are things you can focus on right now.
some constructive planning. Maybe your family has grown, and everyone feels on top of each other. Maybe you’d like some extra space for an aging relative. Maybe the kids are out of the house, and you don’t need so much space. If you find yourself moving in one of these directions, the first step is to look at the numbers. Figure out your purchasing power and talk to a lender to see what your actual monthly payments would be. At the same time, reach out to a Realtor to see what’s available that fits your needs and learn what your current place would likely bring in today’s market. Some people discover they can move sooner than they thought. Others learn they need more time. Either way, you are dealing with real numbers rather than just guesses. If you are planning to sell, February is the best month to tackle inside work. Start with some
cleaning and organization. Clear closets, storage rooms, and the garage. Pack extra things into bins and decide what can be donated or thrown out. Once the clutter is under control, look at simple interior projects. Painting is a good place to start. Touch up worn areas and calm down any loud accent walls that might not appeal to buyers. If the living room carpet is old, consider having it replaced. The same goes for dated cabinet faces and hardware. Sometimes sanding, paint, and new pulls can make a kitchen feel brand-new. If you need more extensive work, this can also be a good time to get bids from contractors because many of them are limited on work. Even if you end up staying put, these projects will make your home cleaner and more comfortable. Think of this time as a reset period where you can prepare yourself and your home for whatever comes next.
Are you a potential buyer? This is the perfect time to assess your needs and do
Create a Wood Slat Wall That Wows From Blank to Bold
Vertical wood slat walls are a popular decorative accent for living rooms and other areas of the home, but the cost of hiring a contractor to create a wood slat feature can be steep. Despite this, a wood slat wall is among the easiest beginner projects for a wannabe home remodeler. Check out the easy steps to create your own DIY accent wall! What You Need At a lumber store, buy 1-by-2-inch slats of pine or poplar wood cut to a length that fits the height of your wall. Select slats that are straight, not warped, and save scraps for later use. If you are using pine, sand the slats with fine-grit sandpaper and stain them to the wood tone that best suits your decor. Although poplar slats cost more than pine, they offer a more high-end look. Additionally, they don’t require staining or sanding, as they’re beautiful in their natural
state. For either type of wood, add a layer of polyurethane as a sealant.
Assemble your supplies, including the slats, a nail gun, and wood conditioner, plus wood stain if desired. Remove any baseboards from your accent wall. We recommend painting the wall behind the slats a dark color to accent the natural beauty of the slats. For this, you need the usual painting supplies, including paint, painter’s tape, a drop cloth, and paint rollers or brushes. Attach the Slats To help you envision the final look, use painter’s tape to position the slats at different distances. If your slats are 1 inch wide, experiment with spacing them 1/4–7/8 inch apart. (Any farther apart, and you risk creating a zebra-stripe effect.) Use a scrap piece as a spacer between slats. Then, attach the slats to the wall using the nail gun,
inserting one nail each in the top, middle, and bottom. When nailing slats to an area without a stud behind the wall, use two nails, driving one downward and a second upward, creating an X behind the slat to hold it firmly in place. Use the spacer as you drive a nail into each piece, ensuring your slats are vertically straight. Once your slat wall is finished, relax and enjoy the warmth of the wood tones and the visual interest you’ve created! You’ve transformed an ordinary wall into a highlight of your home.
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February is an anniversary month around our house. This one marks six years since we brought our dogs home on Valentine’s Day. Having pups is great for many reasons, but one of the best is that they get you outside and moving. Even if the weather isn’t ideal, they still need walks and still look at you like, “Are we going or what?” That’s the motivation you sometimes need this time of year, when we’re dealing with a lot of cold, gray days. By this point in the season, every day can start to feel the same, and I think most of us get a little stir-crazy. Even a simple walk can help break things up and boost your energy. And around here, several local trails and dog parks are open year-round. Badger Mountain and Candy Mountain are great if you want a climb and a view on nicer days. On those afternoons when you want flatter ground, Chamna Natural Preserve has miles of easy paths by the river. If your dog prefers a fenced run, Paws-abilities Place at Badger Mountain Community Park is a solid option. Kennewick’s Columbia River Dog Park in Columbia Park gives them room to sprint while you walk and talk with other owners. You can also break up the late winter monotony by doing something different indoors. Of course, you can’t take the dogs, but there are plenty of fun places where the kids can burn off some energy. Quake Family Fun Center in Kennewick is basically a giant indoor playground. There’s trampoline time, laser tag, arcade games, and space to move. Let’s Glow Mini Golf is another favorite. It’s indoors, the course glows, and the kids love it. MAXAIR is a trampoline park that also works well when everyone is bouncing off the walls at home. If you’re feeling some cabin fever right now, try picking one or two of these ideas and putting them on the calendar. And if none of that sounds like enough, you can always go get a puppy. If you choose that option, you’ll have plenty to do. Trails, Dog Parks, and Indoor Fun LOCAL SPOTS TO SHAKE OFF WINTER
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
Ingredients
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2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
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2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
• • • •
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
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2 tsp fresh rosemary chopped (or thyme) 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil
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3 tbsp hot honey
Directions
1. Pat chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. 2. In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. 3. Sear chicken for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden. 4. In a small bowl, mix hot honey and minced garlic to create a glaze. 5. Place the seared chicken in a baking dish. Pour the hot honey mixture over top. 6. Sprinkle chicken with crumbled feta, then rosemary or thyme. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20–25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F. 8. Optional: Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra caramelization. 9. Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon juice and extra herbs before serving.
Inspired by LadySavor.com
Solution on Page 4
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INSIDE 1
The Everyday Work of Leadership
2 Late Winter Checklist for Buyers and Sellers
Bring Bold Beauty With Brilliant Boards!
3 Good Reasons to Get Outside
Hot Honey-Infused Feta Chicken
4 A New Brew of Fun SIP, PRETEND, AND PLAY
Creative Ideas for an Unforgettable Tea Party
For many young American girls, nothing is more magical than a tea party. It doesn’t matter if the brew is real or if all of the attendees are stuffed animals made of fluff; tea parties offer an opportunity to invoke your imagination and enjoy peaceful, polite moments with your little ones. These are memories you and your kids will look back on fondly for years to come. Not all tea parties are made equal, however. If you really want to amaze and excite your kids, consider adding some special elements to the fun. Here are three ideas to help you get started. Pick a theme. When you think of traditional tea parties, you likely envision dresses and tiaras, but these sip-worthy soirees can involve just about any theme. You can base it on
your children’s favorite movies. Whether you focus on a film that has a tea party scene like “Alice in Wonderland” or choose something more abstract, like “The Lion King” or “The Little Mermaid,” is entirely up to you. You could even choose a specific period of history and emulate their tea parties. The options are endless! Dress the part. After you decide on a theme, you need to find ways to bring it to life. One of the easiest solutions is to play dress up. If your theme is based on a movie, dress as a character or include stuffed animals from the film. And don’t just stop at the outfit. Use teacups and saucers that resemble those from the movie or time period you’re mimicking. The way you speak and the topics at hand should also match the overall concept.
Make it fun for everyone. Not everyone gets excited at the prospect of a tea party. They may worry that it’s too girly or that they’ll get bored. For the doubters, let them decide on a theme and be sure to include snacks or drinks they enjoy. If they are truly adamant about not wanting to participate, do not force them. Their sour attitude will take away from everyone else’s enjoyment.
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