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Gavin’s HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS
FEBRUARY 2025
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Love, Laughter, and Takeout
OUR FAVORITE TRI-CITIES DATE NIGHT SPOTS
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like me and my wife, Thai takeout or trying out a new local spot sounds like the perfect date night plan. We like to keep it simple, focusing on good food, incredible company, and quality time together. So, whether we’re grabbing a tasty burger from Brady’s Brats and Burgers, enjoying Italian at Ciao Trattoria in Pasco, or checking out the view of the Tri-Cities from Copper Top, it’s all about the fun moments and memories we create. Our go-to date night is a peaceful evening picking up takeout from a favorite restaurant or a local standby. We tend to gravitate toward Thai food, wood-fired pizza, and hearty cheeseburgers. (Those last two are things I could eat every day.) You can’t go wrong with the good stuff like bacon, avocado, and cheese. Our date nights usually include a nice walk with our dogs and a TV show or movie before bed. With a newborn and our busy schedules, we try not to stay up too late because our mornings begin early. When we do something a little more exciting, we love golfing with friends and grabbing a bite. Being in real estate, we enjoy driving around on the weekend and checking out different properties. The Tri-Cities are home to wonderful local businesses and restaurants to support. Ciao Trattoria Italian 112 N. 4th Ave., Pasco TheCiaoWagon.com/cioatrattoria When we want to do something a little different and dress up a bit, we love to
visit Ciao Trattoria in downtown Pasco. They make phenomenal Italian food, ranging from lasagna to delicious pasta with names I can’t pronounce. Though I typically reserve steaks for a home meal, their New York ribeye is my favorite menu item. The cozy and intimate atmosphere makes for an excellent place for a Valentine’s date. Brady’s Brats and Burgers Burgers 6481 W. Skagit Ave., Kennewick BradysBrats.com One of our go-to’s for take-out nights lately is Brady’s Brats and Burgers, which is a bit of a guilty pleasure. They offer tasty burgers and fries, all made with locally sourced ingredients. They sell standard brats and a rotating menu of specials like smoked chorizo or vegetarian brats, along with hamburgers. Shiki Sushi & Grill Sushi 1408 N. Louisiana St., Kennewick ShikiKennewick.com We love to keep things local, and one of the best sushi restaurants in our rotation is Shiki Sushi in Kennewick. They offer all the favorites like hibachi, and specialty rolls like the Cowboy, the Walla Walla, and the Dragon Rolls to name a few. Copper Top Tap House Tap House 5453 Ridgeline Dr. #110, Kennewick CopperTopTapHouse1.com/index.html If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of the Tri-Cities and a nice cold brew, we
love Copper Top Tap House, which is not far from our house. It’s a great date night hangout with vibrant energy and a lot of entertainment. On Saturday nights, they host music bingo, challenging you to listen to tunes from the 1980s, ’90s, and 2000s and guess the song’s name. We love the friendly and inviting atmosphere paired with craft beers predominately brewed around the Northwest; it’s a feel- good setting. Though they don’t have a restaurant on-site, you can bring food or have it delivered there. Ultimately, for us, Valentine’s Day or any date night isn’t about how elaborate or fancy our plans are. It’s about enjoying quality time with each other, savoring the little moments, and being present. Whether it’s trying your luck at music bingo or just enjoying a night in and relaxing with your newborn in the rocking chair, it’s those simple joys we truly value. —Gavin Vargas 1
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Want a Home That Pays You? What if your first home could pay for
Why a Duplex Might Be Your Smartest Move
in the future, you could eventually purchase and move into another property and then turn the unit you previously occupied into another rental, thus generating more income and additional assets for you. Better Loans You can also use future rental income on the second unit to help you get a better loan. The additional financial boost can increase your qualifying amount, making it much simpler to secure the right loan. Most lenders will let you use up to 75% of your expected rental revenue as part of your overall income. Say there’s a duplex you’re interested in for $600,000, and you only qualify for a loan of up to $375,000. If the rental income from one side of the duplex is roughly $2,000 a month, you may be able to use that additional income to qualify for a loan closer to $550,000, allowing you to afford a more expensive (potentially more desirable) property. Another great benefit to purchasing a multi-family or single-family property you may later choose to rent out is the minimum down payment amount required.
When you purchase a property to live in, whether it is a single-family home, duplex, triplex, or fourplex, you are only required the minimum down payment amount for primary residence (usually 3.5% FHA, 3%–5% conventional, and 0% VA). These amounts are truly game-changers when compared to the typical down payments required for investment properties, which range 20%–30% down or more. Tax Benefits Multi-family properties can also come with tax benefits. If you are an owner-occupant, you can deduct mortgage interest and property tax on your half of the duplex. If you have a renter, you can also write off expenses related to your rental units, like repairs, utility bills, or management fees. Properties like duplexes and fourplexes can be a smart and rewarding investment to build wealth and security for your financial future. If you’re ready to start building your real estate investment portfolio, whether it be in the direction of multi-family or something completely different, I am honored to help you!
itself? Duplexes and other forms of multi- family units can be a great way to build a passive income stream. Whether you’re looking to make some extra money, trying to pay off your mortgage, or planning an investment in the future, you can leverage real estate to create financial stability and long-term wealth. Multi-family properties offer a unique opportunity to earn passive income and can even help you qualify for a larger loan. Help Pay Your Mortgage One of the biggest perks of owning a multi-family property such as a duplex, is that while you live in one unit, you can earn passive income by renting out the other unit. The money you earn will cover a part or maybe even most of your monthly mortgage payment, allowing you to either pay the property off faster and/or more liquid cash for other investments or life expenses. As your tenant helps you pay off your mortgage, your lender can also count that income to help you be able to afford another property down the road if that is a part of your strategy. If you want to create additional revenue streams
Simple Maintenance Tips for a Cooler, More Efficient Refrigerator KEEP IT COOL!
A little TLC for your refrigerator can go a long way in keeping it running smoothly, saving you on energy bills and, ultimately, from buying a new one sooner than you have to. With just a few easy maintenance steps, your fridge will stay cool, efficient, and fit to do its job! Clean those coils. Did you know your fridge’s coils, usually behind a lower panel on the back, play a key role in cooling? These coils release heat as refrigerant passes through, but dust, pet hair, and debris can build up over time, making your fridge work harder. Slide your fridge out twice a year, open the lower panel, and use your vacuum cleaner’s hose attachment to clear out dust. Want to give it a final wipe? Use a dry towel, as moisture could damage the coils. Just be careful not
to bend anything — blocked airflow could prevent your fridge from cooling properly. Don’t ignore the gasket. That rubber seal, or gasket, around your fridge door may look minor, but it’s essential for keeping cold air in and warm air out. If the gasket doesn’t seal tightly, your fridge has to work harder to maintain its cool, costing you extra energy. Inspect it for cracks or wear occasionally, and wipe it with warm, soapy water to remove any crumbs or spills. If it’s looking cracked or brittle, head to your local hardware store for a replacement — it’s an easy fix that makes a big difference. Remember your filters. If your fridge has a water or ice dispenser, its filters need regular changing, too. Over time, old filters can clog and require repair, so a good rule of thumb is to swap out these
filters every three months, around the same time you’d replace other filters in your home. Keep it fully stocked. An empty fridge isn’t as efficient as a full one! Refrigerators need thermal mass (i.e., cool items) to stabilize temperatures. When you open the door, cool items help absorb warm air, so your fridge doesn’t have to work as hard. These simple steps help your refrigerator stay energy-efficient and fully functioning to keep your food at the perfect temperature!
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Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
Unlock the Door to Homeownership With a Little Help From Loved Ones The Family Advantage
Inspired by EatingWell.com
Ingredients
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2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 cup peeled and chopped carrots 1 cup chopped yellow onion 1 tbsp finely chopped garlic 3 cups reduced- sodium vegetable broth
with basil, garlic, and oregano 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
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1/2 tsp ground pepper 1/4 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt 1 (9-oz) package refrigerated cheese tortellini 1 (5-oz) package baby spinach 1 cup heavy cream
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Buying a home is one of the most significant milestones one can achieve in life, but home ownership can sometimes feel out of reach, especially for first-time buyers. Surprisingly, one of your strongest support groups could also help you in your search for your dream home. Your family can provide financial and strategic assistance, making homeownership more accessible. From contributing to your down payment to enabling you to secure favorable loan terms by purchasing a home for a family member, familial support goes far beyond advice and moving help. Buy a primary residence for a family member. Typically, when you purchase a second home as an investment or a vacation home, you are telling the bank the property won’t be your residence; it will be an income opportunity. You will have to pay 20%–30% more on the down payment than if it were your primary residence. However, if you purchase that home for a family member, like your parent or a child, you might be able to buy it with the same terms as a primary residence without the requirement to live there. A family member exception can help you pay the same mortgage and interest rate as a primary owner-occupied residence. This is a win-win, as the family member gets to begin the journey of homeownership/ independent living faster while the other gets to invest in the safest and steadiest investment out there, real estate. Help with a down payment. Affordability is often one of the largest barriers for new homebuyers, and your family member could potentially help you come up with the down payment. Lenders will allow you to use gift money from a relative for closing costs, whereas financial gifts from someone not close to you don’t typically qualify. Depending on your budget, this could be an excellent way for a parent/grandparent/aunt or uncle to help someone get started on their first home, especially since it’s getting harder and harder for young people to buy real estate. Your family can help open doors to home ownership. While these options won’t apply to everyone, they offer an exciting opportunity for families to work together toward shared goals. If you are considering this path, your best strategy is to start by meeting with an experienced Realtor and mortgage loan officer. Contact me to begin exploring options available for making home ownership and building wealth through real estate a reality.
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1 (15-oz) can (no salt added) diced tomatoes
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Directions
1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. 2. Add broth, tomatoes, fresh basil, pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for about 5 minutes or until carrots are slightly tender. 3. Stir in tortellini. Cook until pasta is tender. Reduce heat to medium-low. 4. Add baby spinach and cream. Cook until spinach is wilted. Serve and garnish with additional basil if desired.
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2 1 INSIDE A Tri-Cities Valentine’s
How You Can Use Rental Income to Build Wealth
Fridge Maintenance 101
3
Creative Ways to Afford Your First Home
Creamy Tortellini Vegetable Soup
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Appreciate the Wonders of Eternal Flame Falls
Earth’s Eternal Flame A Glimpse Into a Mystery of Nature
Visitors to Eternal Flame Falls, a unique, naturally occurring gas flame emanating from the ground near Orchard Park, New York, often describe it with feelings of awe. A natural gas leak from deep in the ground fuels the Eternal Flame, and a waterfall tumbles down from a rock face between hikers and the flame, creating a grotto-like effect that draws scores of visitors year-round. Natural gas emissions from the Earth aren’t uncommon; however, the flame that gives Eternal Flame Falls its name is unique in several ways. According to a team of Italian and American geologists who investigated the leak in 2013, the gas is released at a relatively shallow depth of about 1,300 feet underground. The lukewarm shale surrounding its origins is much cooler than the 100-degree Celsius
temperatures at the origin point of most naturally occurring flames.
Natural gas leaks are usually composed of methane, but the gas fueling New York’s Eternal Flame is a unique blend of 35% ethane and propane in addition to methane. The research team also noted a series of other small gas seeps within the shale layer where the Eternal Flame flare originates. One geologist on the team theorized that the gas might have been produced within the shale by a different process that scientists have not yet identified. In addition to gas combustion, natural eternal flames can be created by peat fires or coal seam fires, ignited by lightning, human activity, or electricity caused by tectonic stress. Humans often create and maintain eternal flames, too, to commemorate people
or events. In the U.S., manmade eternal flames burn at Ground Zero, the site of the 2001 terrorist attacks, and the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. The hike to view New York’s Eternal Flame Falls is a 40-minute round trip. However, the flame is difficult to access in wet seasons when the river swells to a torrent, so check the weather beforehand.
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