Check out our March newsletter!
Gavin’s HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS
MARCH 2025
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Breaking the March Slump SMALL HABITS, BIG CHANGES
March is an unpredictable month. The weather can’t seem to make up its mind, and many of us start feeling a bit sluggish as we push through the first quarter of the year. Interestingly, I recently learned that March is also the least productive month, likely because so many people are glued to their screens and caught up in all the March Madness excitement. In a way, this time of year is like the fork in the road where we decide whether or not we are going to keep pushing through toward our goals. While this time of year can feel like a slump, it reminds me all the more how important our daily habits are for continuing to make progress. As we get busy with the unpredictable day-to-day, and especially when we get tired, we naturally revert back to our habits to help us allocate the little time and/or energy we do have to tackle the unforeseen challenges and most critical moments in our day. If we are trying to read more, but our evening consists of baseball practice, making dinner, homework, getting the dogs out for a walk, and bedtime rituals, it’s going to be really difficult to carve in 15 minutes of reading unless you implement this as a habit. How Habits Are Formed I started the year reading the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. The book breaks down how our habits are created and outlines steps to forming new ones (also how to stop old ones). The key idea? Making small, consistent changes in our actions
can lead to big, long-lasting results. In the book, Clear says that all habits — both good and bad ones — are created through the same four-step process:
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Cue: This is what triggers a specific behavior.
• Craving: Cravings are the motivation that drives behavior.
• Response: The response is the action of the habit itself.
• Reward: Rewards are the benefits that reinforce the action.
Understanding this process helped me see that building habits involves more than just sheer willpower. You must implement clear cues to act on, make the desired response attractive and easily repeatable, and finally reward yourself for completing the habit. This is all much easier said than done. I would highly recommend reading this book for yourself. Tips and Tricks for Implementing New Habits • Develop Your Environment: If you’re trying to work out in the morning, set out your gym clothes the night before. When you wake up in the morning, you’ll put on your gym clothes and know what to do. • Habit Stacking: Using a current habit already to start a new one is another strategy. After we finish cleaning up dinner, I will read 10 pages instead of turn on the TV or open up my phone/computer. • Temptation Bundling: Pair an action you want to do with one you need to do. In order to drink my morning coffee, I need to complete my morning mindset routine (gratitudes/affirmations/ visualization). • 2-Minute Rule: Construct your habit so you are able to complete it in two minutes or less. You want to start walking every morning but don’t have the time? Just walk down the road for
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Spring Into Fun in the Tri-Cities Activities to Make the Most of the Season
ranging from the popular 15K to the 100- mile ultramarathon. A true labor of love, the event is entirely volunteer-run and hosted by the Nomad Trail Runners of Eastern Washington. All proceeds from the BMC go to several local organizations, including Friends of Badger Mountain, Washington Trails Association, and Girls on the Run.
programs on the Manhattan Project and a “Signs of Spring” activity for young learners. When: Open year-round Where: Richland, Washington Admission: $6–$12, Free for children under 5 Website: VisitTheReach.us Spring Barrel Weekend Each spring, nearby Yakima Valley hosts Spring Barrel Weekend, a three-day event showcasing the best of local wines. Several wineries participate in the annual event on the last weekend of April. In addition to tastings of the latest releases, Spring Barrel Weekend features educational events and tours, local food, and live music. It is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and celebrate the season.
With beautiful outdoor areas and plenty of cultural events and attractions, the Tri-Cities area offers year-round fun for the entire family. Spring is just around the corner, so the days are getting longer, and it’s time to get out and explore. Here are just a few ways to enjoy our backyard. Badger Mountain Challenge Whether you’re looking to test your limits or volunteer to support local health and fitness, the Badger Mountain Challenge (BMC) is calling. Now in its 14th year, the BMC takes place on Badger Mountain in Richland and features five events,
When: March 21–22 Where: Richland, Washington
Admission: $29–$216 Entry, Free to attend Website: BadgerMountainChallenge.com Reach Museum If the weather still has you clinging to the indoors, plan a visit to the Reach Museum to learn more about the Mid- Columbia River Region. This family-friendly destination focuses on K–8 education, with an emphasis on science. The museum features four galleries, an aquarium, and a rotating gallery with exhibits throughout the year. Upcoming events include
When: April 25–27 Where: Yakima, Washington
Admission: Tasting fees vary by winery Website: VisitYakima.com/wine-event- spring-barrel-tasting
Sneaky Home Issues You Should Never Ignore Don’t Let Small Issues Slide
Your home is your haven, but even the coziest spaces can harbor silent troublemakers. While some household quirks might seem harmless, ignoring them can lead to bigger, pricier problems. Let’s uncover common culprits and learn how to deal with them before they take over. Tiny Intruders and Mysterious Droppings The sight of mouse droppings can stop any homeowner in their tracks. Droppings, ants, and other pests indicate your home has unsealed openings, inviting critters in. Inspect spots like exhaust vents and garage doors for gaps or signs of chewing. When in doubt, call a professional. Ignoring pests is a recipe for health risks and more unwelcome guests. Mold’s Unwelcome Appearance Mold hangs out in the usual places — bathroom corners or the fridge ( oops, forgot about that yogurt ). However, mold on your living room walls or bedroom ceiling is a major red flag. Unexpected mold
could point to a hidden moisture problem. Get a professional to evaluate the situation, stop the spread, and ensure your home stays safe for you and your family. Less-Than-Perfect Shingles Your roof works year-round to protect your home, so don’t let damaged shingles go unnoticed. A single missing shingle might seem trivial, but it can allow moisture to wreak havoc on the wood beneath. Before you know it, a quick fix turns into a costly nightmare. Inspect your roof or schedule a
professional check-up — your wallet (and home) will thank you. Risky Stair Railings A shaky stair railing can seem like a minor annoyance until it becomes a major safety hazard. A quick DIY fix might work for short railings, but anything longer — or attached to a balcony — needs a professional’s touch. Better safe than sorry! What Lies Beneath Peeling Paint Peeling paint can be more than an aesthetic issue. If the paint flakes in square, scaly patterns, you might have lead-based paint underneath — a big concern, especially with kids in the house. Don’t tackle this alone; bring in a pro to safely remove the old paint and give your walls a safe upgrade. Your home has a way of hinting when something’s wrong. Listen to those little signals and take action. A bit of vigilance now can prevent major headaches later, keeping your sanctuary safe and ready for all life’s moments.
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It’s March, which means warmer weather is just around the corner, and many of us are planning outdoor activities. Peak real estate season is also here. So, if you plan to sell a home, it’s time to prepare it for potential buyers. Make bang-for-your-buck updates. The weather may be keeping you indoors, but you can make plenty of interior improvements before you touch anything on the exterior. Updating outdated flooring and paint are typically the most impactful improvements you can make inside a home. These changes instantly brighten a home and deliver an excellent return on investment. Other small upgrades can also make a big difference. You can easily replace outdated cabinet hardware, lighting, and plumbing fixtures. Caulking gaps around doors and windows and replacing cracked window panes and worn doorknobs are also simple, cost-effective ways to ensure your home makes a good first impression. Consider a pre-sale inspection. A pre-inspection may be beneficial if you want to avoid any unforeseen surprises related to your home’s condition and also maybe provide some confidence for the buyer that the home does not include any major defects. During the inspection, a home inspector will do a thorough assessment to identify the home’s interior and exterior issues. They’ll check the home from top to bottom, including the roof, attic, walls, and foundation. This information can help you know what items, if any, you may want to tackle before listing and/or factor into your list price/negotiations. When a buyer sees that a credible and licensed home inspector evaluated the home, they can feel that much more confident in making an offer on the property without major problems that otherwise the home inspector would have been brought to the seller’s attention. Meet with a Realtor for a customized plan. We can all agree every home is different and thus requires different activities to effectively prepare for the market. The Richland alphabet home is going to benefit from certain activities more than the golf course condo and so on. Consulting with a real estate professional early in the process ensures you invest your time and resources on what is going to give you the most bang for your buck. For instance, not everyone will get a return on investment from paint and flooring — a Realtor can help you determine if it’s worth the investment. When you decide to sell your home, it’s important to have someone there who helps you facilitate the process from a business perspective. Spring may be the best time of year to sell a home. Make the most of the opportunity by giving me a call, and I would be more than happy to provide insight. Preparing Your Home to Sell for the Most GET READY: THE SPRING REAL ESTATE MARKET IS HERE
Banana Pudding Cheesecake Mashup
Inspired by Delish.com
Ingredients
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1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 (3.4-oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
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1 cup whole milk 1 prepared graham cracker crust 3 bananas, sliced 20 Nilla Wafers Whipped topping and crushed Nilla Wafers, for garnish
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Directions
1. In a large bowl of a standing mixer, add softened cream cheese and beat until fluffy and free of clumps. 2. Add sugar and beat until combined, then add heavy cream and vanilla extract and beat until medium-stiff peaks form. Set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk and pudding mix and refrigerate for 3 minutes until thickened. Pour pudding mixture into cream cheese mixture and fold until combined. 4. Into the graham cracker crust, pour half the filling and spread evenly. Add a single layer of sliced bananas and Nilla Wafers, then pour remaining filling over and smooth the top. 5. Refrigerate until firm, at least 6 hours, or overnight. Top slices with whipped cream, crushed Nilla Wafers, and any additional banana slices as desired.
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2 1 INSIDE March Motivation: Stay Focused & Energized Celebrate Spring With These Local Activities
Ignoring These Home Issues Could Cost You Big
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Smart Moves for Faster Home Sales
Banana Pudding Cheesecake Mashup
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one minute and turn back! That’s a win because you have begun initiating the habit. In no time, you will be carving out 15, 20, maybe even 30 minutes for a morning walk you look forward to. • A habit tracker: My planner and fitness app are critical for keeping me accountable and provide me the little boost of dopamine I need throughout the day to keep checking off the productive activities I want to accomplish. These are just a few of the strategies the book covers for how to create good habits that I have personally experienced success with. It is a never-ending battle to constantly work to apply these strategies and work toward the habits we are trying to implement, which is why we need to continuously remind ourselves what we truly desire to achieve from all this. Remember Your ‘Why’ Knowing more about how habits are formed or broken is helpful, but I also know fueling them by something bigger is critical. The more you understand the “why” behind your goals, the more likely you’ll achieve them. Implementing good habits and/or breaking bad ones requires a lot of hard work and dedication; to be successful at this requires a burning desire to improve.
my wheels. When I taste failure and adversity, I have to take a moment to remember where I started and what all I’ve learned. Focusing on what I’ve been given, what I’ve been able to earn, the unbelievable people around me, and even the simplest things we all take for granted, rejuvenates me. The quicker we can get back up and focus on the things we do have, the more opportunities we have to try again. Thanks to my beautiful wife and daughter, there is truly no shortage of smiles, laughs, and encouraging words to keep me going, no matter what happens. I have the pleasure of working with some of the most generous and honorable individuals, including business partners, fellow industry professionals, and clients whom I see as family. There is no shortage of quality people throughout our community even though our news sources might have us thinking differently. Keep your eyes open to see the people in your life who you want to emulate or just simply appreciate. So, if you feel like March has you in a slump, try identifying a habit that, if implemented, could be most impactful for you. I would love to discuss your own goals and what habits you may have or are still working to implement. I’m always up for learning and contributing whatever I can to your success.
—Gavin Vargas
For me, taking a moment to practice gratitude and give thanks is the best way to get over a slump or roadblock that has me spinning
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