How to Get Your Home Ready for Casual Winter Entertaining

SOURCE: Houzz

Use this handy checklist to prepare for low-key gatherings during the colder months

When we think about winter entertaining, we often focus on the big holidays. But we host plenty of other gatherings this time of year — cookie-baking and football-watching parties, casual dinners, chats over a cup of coffee. Here’s how to make your house cozy and welcoming for you and your guests this season.

Finish the Big Maintenance Jobs

Take care of fall maintenance jobs before winter cold sets in so you and your guests are comfortable and safe.

Have your heating system cleaned and checked, and your boiler serviced. Experts recommend having oil heaters cleaned yearly and gas systems maintained every three years or so. You should have the filters in your furnace changed regularly as well. It’s recommended that boilers be serviced annually by a qualified engineer.

Get your gutters cleaned. Cleaning leaves out of your gutters ensures they function properly to keep water away from your building envelope and help you avoid leaks.

Call the chimney sweep. If you have a fireplace, have your chimney inspected and cleaned once or twice a year. A clogged chimney can lead to house fires or carbon monoxide entering the home.

Test your fire and carbon monoxide alarms and check your extinguishers. As you and your guests will be spending a lot of time indoors, be sure to check your safety devices. Test your fire and carbon monoxide alarms, change batteries as necessary and check the expiration dates on your fire extinguishers.

Do Some Deep Cleaning and Decluttering

Between the big holidays and casual get-togethers with friends, you may be entertaining more now than at any other time of year. Use this as an excuse to clean, declutter and organize now rather than waiting until spring.

Deep clean your kitchen, dining and living rooms. Make sure these rooms are spick and span — you’ll get more than enough grease and cookie crumbs on them over the next few months. Focus on the jobs that often get forgotten or put off: dusting around and under books and decor, vacuuming the couch, washing curtains, descaling appliances and cleaning or replacing exhaust filters. This is also a good time to tackle stubborn baked-on stains on cookware and baking trays, and replace any items no longer in good shape.

Get your windows cleaned. Light is at a premium in the winter so make sure your windows are letting as much of it in as possible.

Check your dishware and linens. Check dishes, mugs and glasses for chips and table linens for holes and stains. Toss out and replace any dinnerware that’s seen better days. Count your plates, cutlery and glassware to make sure you have enough for both smaller and larger gatherings.

For casual get-togethers, go easy on yourself and aim for simple table settings, such as easy-to-wipe placemats on a bare table. Check your tablecloths, napkins and any special glasses or dishware too. You’ll be grateful when it comes time to prep for holiday dinners.

Get Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces Ready for Winter Coziness — and Mess

Prepare your mudroom for wet boots. Your guests will tramp in plenty of rain and snow so make sure your mudroom or hallway can cope with the added mess. Lay down heavy-duty mats outside the door for storing boots and lighter rugs inside to protect the floor and ensure your guests don’t slip on a wet surface.

Move extra coats and shoes to another storage area to make room for your guests’ things. Bring in seating to make it easier to put on winter boots and accommodate guests with limited mobility.

Lean into coziness in your living and dining rooms. Think throw pillows with soft, tactile, natural textures; warm blankets; and plenty of candles on tables and shelves to break through winter darkness. Think about creating small, cozy vignettes throughout the space, particularly for smaller gatherings.

Bring in natural accents. Branches in a vase make a beautiful centerpiece on a dining or coffee table. Evergreen branches — in vases, or as wreaths or garlands on the mantelpiece — are easy Christmas decor, and they can be used throughout winter if you remove holiday accents such as red bows or baubles. Indoor plants too can provide some of the greenery this season.

Prepare your outdoor rooms.
Winter doesn’t mean you have to stay inside if you keep your outdoor spaces looking good. Treat wood features appropriately so they survive winter wet. Clear away fallen leaves, debris and snow on a regular basis, wipe down outdoor dining tables and keep cushions accessible.

Think about setting up a fire pit or prep an outdoor fireplace. Cushions and candles won’t go amiss either. Get your grill or outdoor kitchen in shape if weather allows for cold-weather barbecues. And stock plenty of mulled wine or hot chocolate to keep everyone comfy.

Think about curb appeal.
For a quick update ahead of casual entertaining, consider hanging a winter wreath, creating a container vignette or setting out lanterns.

If you’re ready for a bigger project, plant varieties that provide interest through the colder months. Go for winter-flowering plants such as winter jasmine, plants with winter berries such as English holly (Ilex aquifolium) and grasses that can add sculptural interest even when they fade to brown.

Update Your Lighting Indoors and Out

In the dark of winter, lighting is especially important, so make sure you have a functional, layered lighting scheme that includes both task and ambient lighting. Plug-in, battery-powered and solar lamps and light fixtures can be placed indoors and out to add illumination where you need it without having to rewire.

Throw in some candles (real or electric) or twinkle lights for a touch of winter magic. They’re low cost and low effort, making them perfect for adding a lovely touch to smaller or casual gatherings. Be sure any lights you use outside are rated for outdoor use.

Set Up a Coffee Station

You’re going to be making a lot of hot drinks in the coming months, so why not set up a dedicated drinks station with everything you need for coffee, tea and hot chocolate? Assign part of your counter and cabinet space to the coffee machine, kettle, mugs and ingredients. If you’re planning a remodel, consider carving out space for a dedicated station for the future.

Stock Your Bar and Pantry

While big gatherings are going to have their own grocery lists, keep your bar and pantry well-stocked for surprise visits and impromptu get-togethers.

For your bar or bar cart, think about warming liqueurs, winter cocktails and boozy coffees in addition to your usual selection. Be sure to provide low- or no-alcohol versions of favorite drinks.

To make life easier, consider serving charcuterie or cheese boards, bowls of roasted nuts and quick dinners made with pantry staples.

Keep snacks, coffee, tea and sugar on hand. If you’re an avid baker, make sure you have what you need to whip up a batch of cookies. If that’s not a hobby, packaged snacks kept on hand are just as good for welcoming guests.

Treat Yourself Like the Guest

The best thing about low-key gatherings is that you don’t need fine china or elaborate centerpieces. Instead, think about how to create the most coziness for the least effort. That also means you don’t have to wait for guests to show up to light those candles or indulge in a nice hot chocolate. Set up your spaces so you can treat yourself to winter magic every day.

SOURCE: Houzz

How to learn about your new home online: TikTok, Reddit, Facebook and more

SOURCE: Homes

Find out what life is like in your future city — from your screen

With the power of the internet, there are a lot of ways to find out what a place is like without ever setting foot there.

If you are moving and don’t have time to visit, try to explore the online content about a place. From social media to local news and even Google Maps, you can learn a lot about the community you are moving to. Homes.com profiles neighborhoods across the country with information on schools, parks and public transit.

Some of these suggestions will work for all areas of the country. But if you are moving to a rural area, some of the social media ideas may not be as effective.

Here are some tips for researching your new town online:

1. 'Walk' the Google Streets

Nothing can beat in-person visits, but Google Maps can be a powerful tool for getting a sense of the area. Using the Street View tool, you can “walk” around. Check out the local downtown business area or walk the route to work or school.

Being able to virtually see the area on street level helps you get a sense of the area. You will be able to see if there are people out walking around or if it’s more of a car-dense area. You can see how far the grocery store or gym are from each other.

You can also look at properties you are considering buying. Type in the address and take a virtual walk around the block. Online listings tend to show the best images, but the Google image is taken randomly, so you can see what the street really looks like.

Google collects the images in all seasons, so there are some quirks in the system. You can go from summer to fall to winter in only a few clicks, depending on when the images were last taken.

Steps to use Google Street View:

• Pull up the town or city you are moving to on Google Maps.

• Zoom in on where you’d like to live or look for yellow areas, which are business or downtown areas.

• Switch the map to Google Earth or satellite setting.

• In the bottom right corner, drag the small yellow man icon over the street you want to look at. The street map will light up blue before you drop the icon.

• Now in Street View, use the arrows to click or “walk” up and down the street. Use the 360 view of the street to see the area.

2. Ask TikTok

The vertical social media platform has a plethora of content. On the platform, anyone can post, and the barrier to entry for making content is fairly low. This drives lots of people to share their lives, experiences and towns online. People are posting travel content, restaurants to try and daily life content all the time. You also may see some less savory content, crime or news.

Keep in mind that social media often shows just the good or bad. Some people could be getting paid to post as well.

Search the name of your city or town and these keywords:

• Things to do

• Living in

• Homes or apartments

• Restaurants or food

• Living pros and cons

• Budget

• Itinerary

3. Join online neighborhood groups

Joining Facebook groups, Nextdoor and other community group pages is a great way to find out about a new place and actually connect with locals. There are groups for cities, neighborhoods and counties.

Groups often have a niche like “moms,” “young professionals” or “apartments and roommates.” Some groups are private, so you will need to request access.

If you are aiming to live in a specific neighborhood, you can try to join the group and make a post asking if anyone is selling or looking to sell soon. Having a personal connection could give you an edge in a popular area.

The groups will also provide context on the area. Read the posts and see what people are discussing, what the local events are and how often people post.

4. Read the Reddit pages

Reddit is a user-driven question-and-answer and discussion platform. On Reddit, threads are made about dozens of topics, including real estate and communities.

Search for your city and state and look for threads that talk about what is happening in the community. Reddit is mostly anonymous, so you typically get much more candid feedback. Be careful not to reveal super personal details and keep your comments focused on the topic.

You could post in a thread asking what it is like living there or any other questions and wait for locals to respond.

Questions to ask Reddit:

• What do you wish you had known before relocating there?

• What are the best places to live there? Neighborhood recommendations?

• Why do you like living there?

• Is it affordable? How much is your mortgage?

• What is living there like? Pros and cons?

SOURCE: Homes

LUXURY TRENDS | OCTOBER 2025 | CHRIS DOUCET

COMPASS LUXURY COLLECTION October’s Most Remarkable Estates October unveils a collection of extraordinary homes where architecture, history, and landscape meet in rare harmony. In New York’s Hudson Valley, Mill Farm spans more than 2,000 protected acres, its storied Mill House set directly on a flowing stream that once powered its hydro turbine mill. In Telluride, Dream Catcher is carved into sandstone cliffs, a retreat of glass and native rock overlooking the valley below. And in New Hampshire, Knollwood stands as a Georgian masterpiece once visited by presidents and writers alike, surrounded by gardens and mountain views that stretch for miles. Together they define the season’s most exceptional living, each residence a testament to craftsmanship, legacy, and enduring design. View Featured Property ARIZONA View Properties>> CALIFORNIA View Properties>> COLORADO View Properties>> CONNECTICUT View Properties>>

DELAWARE View Properties>> DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA View Properties>> FLORIDA View Properties>> GEORGIA View Properties>> HAWAII View Properties>> IDAHO View Properties>>

ILLINOIS View Properties>> INDIANA View Properties>> KANSAS View Properties>> LOUISIANA View Properties>> MAINE View Properties>> MARYLAND View Properties>> MASSACHUSETTS View Properties>> MINNESOTA View Properties>> MISSOURI View Properties>> NEVADA View Properties>> NEW HAMPSHIRE View Properties>> NEW JERSEY View Properties>> NEW YORK View Properties>> NORTH CAROLINA View Properties>> PENNSYLVANIA View Properties>> RHODE ISLAND View Properties>> SOUTH CAROLINA View Properties>> TENNESEE View Properties>> TEXAS View Properties>> VIRGINIA View Properties>> WASHINGTON View Properties>> WISCONSIN View Properties>> WYOMING View Properties>> INTERNATIONAL View Properties>> View All Luxury Properties

Chris Doucet Founding Partner in Seattle M: 206.819.4663 chris.doucet@compass.com

LUXURYATCOMPASS.COM

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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OCTOBER KING COUNTY MARKET WATCH NW | CHRIS DOUCET

Week over week in King County, the market stayed steady with subtle shifts: active inventory edged down and new listings dipped, reflecting a typical late-season slowdown, while pending sales held essentially flat. Closings pulled back more noticeably, a reminder that fall workflows and recent disruptions can delay transactions rather than signal weakness. Pricing was resilient—average and median sold prices both firmed, and price per square foot ticked higher—while sellers’ list-to-sale ratios remained consistent. Time on market was stable (with only a slight uptick in cumulative days), reinforcing a balanced backdrop where well-priced homes continue to find buyers even as overall volume cools. Contact me today to set up a consultation in person or virtually to learn more about market conditions, Compass Concierge, and how I can leverage our nationwide network to source buyers to sell your home for more money.

Chris Doucet Founding Partner in Seattle M: 206.819.4663 chris.doucet@compass.com

Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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The Pros and Cons of Building a Custom Home

SOURCE: Realty Times

Right now, many would-be homebuyers are facing a predicament, which is that there is a limited inventory of properties available. That might be one reason to consider building a custom home, but there are others.

There are downsides to think about at the same time. Whether the pros outweigh the cons depends on your unique situations and preferences, but the following are some of the upsides and downsides to at least make sure you’re aware of before making a decision.

The Pros of Building a Custom Home

When you’re thinking about building a custom home, the following are some of the upsides.

You Can Get Exactly What You Want

When you buy an existing home, undoubtedly, there are some things you’re going to have to settle on. You may be able to change them or update them later, but you’re more than likely not going to get precisely what you’re looking for.

When you build a custom home, you get what you want in every detail. You can design the space in a way that’s going to work for your lifestyle and your taste. At the same time, you have to be careful that this doesn’t turn into a home that’s so specific that you’ll be unlikely to sell it in the future.

You Can Customize Your Location

When you opt to build a custom home, you’re not just getting all the things you want in the house itself. You’re also getting the ability to choose where you want to build. For example, maybe you love the idea of buying land where you’ll have no neighbors around you, or you can have a beautiful view.

You’ll Have Less Maintenance

If you buy an existing home, you’re almost always spending at least some of your free time and money on maintaining it and making repairs.

When you have a brand new home, you can save thousands on maintenance each year. You’re not going to spend your weekends making repairs, and you’re free to do other things.

Of course, you’ll still have some upkeep you’re responsible for, like maintaining the lawn, but a lot less so if you bought an existing and especially an older home.

The Cons of Building a Custom Home

It’s not all upsides when it comes to building the home of your dreams. Downsides to think about include:

It’s Expensive

Building a custom home will cost more money than getting a comparable existing home in almost all cases. You’re going to have to work with a builder, and labor will be around 40% of your total costs. Along with labor, you’ll be paying for permits, design fees and of course the building materials. You can lower your costs somewhat depending on the materials and finishes you choose, but it’s tough to get labor costs much lower than what you’re quoted initially.  

Construction Loans Are Challenging

When you build a home, you may need a construction loan. Construction loans typically require a 20% down payment, and lenders consider them higher risk, which is the reason for that.

You’ll provide the lender not only with the documents you would typically when getting a traditional mortgage, but you’ll also have to provide plans for your project, estimated costs, and information about land value. You’ll have to give the lender a signed contract with the plans for your project, specs and the timeline for construction.

Building Can Take a Long Time

Finally, another downside that you’ll need to think about carefully is that building a custom home can take a long time. It will take at least three months to build a small, simple house. If you’re building a bigger home, you can count on it taking a year or more in some cases. Many delays can occur along the way, ranging from weather conditions to having trouble making decisions on certain things.

SOURCE: Realty Times