✨ Happy New Year — A Fresh Start & A Market That’s Beginning to Move
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Happy New Year! 🎆 I hope your holiday season was filled with joy, rest, and time spent with the people you love. As we step into January, there’s a sense of fresh energy all around — and I’m already seeing that same momentum starting to show up in our local real estate market.
While winter is typically a quieter season, the market has begun to pick up slightly, with more buyers watching closely, new listings starting to appear, and early signs of increased activity as we head into the spring months. If you’ve been thinking about making a move in 2026, this is a great time to start planning and getting informed before things get busier.
One reason for optimism is that mortgage guidelines are evolving, and new opportunities may be opening up for buyers. Hurray!
One thing I’ve decided to do this year is offer anyone reading this newsletter the chance to book a quick appointment with me anytime. Whether you’re just curious about what your home might be worth, thinking about a remodel, considering a move down the road, or simply have a question you’ve been meaning to ask — I’d truly love to be a resource for you. Real estate can feel overwhelming at times, and sometimes it helps just to talk things through. No question is ever too small, and I’m always happy to help in any way I can.
2025 was truly a fabulous year for me, and I feel so grateful. I had the privilege of helping with 20 transactions this past year — from first-time homebuyers achieving their dream of home ownership, to clients relocating back East to be near loved ones, to families who inherited properties and needed guidance through remodeling and selling. I also worked with clients moving across the country to get back to their roots here in Northern California. My sellers were amazing — they listened, did the groundwork, and their homes sold for top dollar. Some scenarios were a little heart-wrenching, but all in all, I’m reminded just how meaningful this work really is.
I genuinely love what I do, and I would love the opportunity to help you too.
👉 If you’d like to chat about anything real estate-related, you can book a quick appointment with me here: ⬇️
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Credit score rules for mortgages are changing in 2026, and this could be great news for first-time homebuyers. For many years, most borrowers needed a minimum FICO score of 620 to qualify for a mortgage. That requirement has now been removed by companies that provide capital to the mortgage market, allowing lenders to consider additional factors such as rental and utility payment history. Older credit models did not include these on-time payments, so this change may provide a more complete picture of a buyer’s financial responsibility and expand access to homeownership for first-time buyers, young adults, and renters.
There are also important updates to conforming loan limits for 2026. Solano County’s conforming loan limit has increased to $832,750, giving buyers more purchasing power while still qualifying for conventional financing. Yolo County aligns with this same limit, while Napa County’s high-balance loan limit remains unchanged at $1,017,750. Staying within these limits can help buyers avoid jumbo loans and potentially access more favorable interest rates and lending terms — an important advantage in today’s market.
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🍷 WINE AND WALK IN BENICIA 🍷
Benicia Main Street invites you to indulge in an afternoon of sips and sweets at our annual Wine & Chocolate Walk on Saturday, February 7, from 1:00–5:00 PM.
Stroll historic First Street as over 25 downtown Benicia businesses open their doors for this decadent and delightful community event. Enjoy an array of fine wine samplings perfectly paired with delicious chocolate tastings and light bites at participating boutiques, galleries, and shops.
Whether you’re planning a romantic afternoon with your sweetheart or a fun Galentine’s Day outing with friends, this is the perfect way to sip, stroll, and explore everything charming downtown Benicia has to offer.
- Enjoy up to 15 tastes of wine
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Receive a souvenir wine glass
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✨ NAPA LIGHTED ART FESTIVAL ✨
January 17th - February 15th, 2026
Bring the family and experience the magic of lighted art at the 2026 Napa Lighted Art Festival! This incredible event is a celebration of creative arts, technology, and innovative light installations, showcasing how light and projection can be transformed into a truly unique art medium.
This walkable outdoor experience is completely FREE in Downtown Napa and will feature 15 stunning lighted art installations on display for five weeks, from January 17 through February 15, 2026. Projection artwork will also be displayed on three iconic downtown buildings during the first nine nights of the festival.
I had the pleasure of visiting last weekend, and it was absolutely amazing — I highly recommend checking it out if you’re looking for something fun, festive, and memorable to do this season! The Gnomes were adorable too!
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🌿 Coming Soon in Napa — Vineyard View Condo in a Gated Community 🌿
Coming soon to the Napa market — a rare opportunity to own a beautifully situated 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo with stunning vineyard views. Wake up each morning to peaceful wine country scenery right outside your window and enjoy the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and the Napa Valley lifestyle.
Located in a desirable gated 55+ community, residents enjoy resort-style amenities including a sparkling pool, relaxing hot tub, and clubhouse, creating the ideal setting for both everyday living and weekend getaways. Whether you’re sipping coffee while taking in the views or heading out to nearby wineries, dining, and shopping, this home offers everything we love about Napa living.
More details and photos will be available soon — don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to know when it officially hits the market!
| | Click below for details ⬇️ | | |
‼️ PENDING‼️
Court Location In Fairfield, Ca
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French Dip Sliders
Ingredients
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 2 thyme sprigs, plus 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 12 slider buns, halved
- 1 lb. thinly sliced deli roast beef
- 12 slices provolone
- 1 tsp. chopped fresh parsley, plus more for serving
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbsp. butter. Add onion and thyme sprigs; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized, 30 to 40 minutes. Discard thyme.
- Place bottom halves of slider buns on a large baking sheet. Top with roast beef, cheese, and onions. Close with top buns.
- In a small heatproof bowl, microwave 2 Tbsp. butter until melted. Brush on top of buns.Sprinkle with parsley and garlic powder; season with salt.
- Bake sliders until warmed through and cheese is melty, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in same skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 1 Tbsp. butter. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, Worcestershire, and chopped thyme; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.
- Transfer sliders to a platter. Top with parsley. Serve with au jus alongside.
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French Onion Smashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
Caramelized Onions
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 thyme sprigs
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- Freshly ground black pepper
Smashed Potatoes
- 1 1/2 lb. small yellow potatoes, such as baby Yukon Gold
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
- 4 oz. Gruyère, shredded
- Fresh thyme leaves, for serving
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Caramelized Onions
- Step 1In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are jammy and deep golden brown, 35 to 50 minutes.
- Step 2Add thyme and wine and cook, stirring and scraping up bits from bottom of pan, until liquid is reduced and onions are jammy, 1 to 2 minutes; season with pepper. Let cool slightly.
- Step 3Make Ahead: Onions can be caramelized 3 days ahead. Let cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. Return to room temperature before using.
Smashed Potatoes
- Step 1: Arrange a rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°. In a medium pot, cover potatoes with 1" cold water; generously with 2 Tbsp. kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until a paring knife slides easily into center (potatoes should be tender but not mushy), about 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Drain potatoes and return to pot. Cook over low heat, shaking pot occasionally, until potatoes are dry, about 30 seconds.
- Step 3: On a bare metal baking sheet, toss potatoes with 2 Tbsp. oil; season with 1/2 tsp. salt. Spread in an even layer. Using the bottom of a heavy-bottomed glass or measuring cup, lightly smash each potato to 1/2" thick.
- Step 4: Roast potatoes until crispy and golden brown on the bottom and edges, 20 to 25 minutes. Top potatoes with caramelized onions and Gruyère. Continue to roast until cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.
- Step 5: Top with thyme leaves; season with pepper.
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Beerita (Beer Margarita)
Ingredients:
- 1 lime
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt for rim
- 4 ounces blanco tequila
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2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounce lime juice
- 12 ounces lager beer
Instructions:
- Cut the lime in half around the middle, widthwise. Save one half for later use (or for juicing for your lime juice). Cut two thin round slices from the other half, then cut what’s left into quarters.
- Pour salt onto a plate. Wipe one of the lime wedges around the outer edge of two glasses, then roll the outer edge of the glass in the salt. Fill each glass with ice.
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In a cocktail shaker * filled with ice, combine tequila, simple syrup and lime juice. Shake to combine. Divide into the two glasses.
- Top each glass with 6 ounces of beer.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes:
For a frozen version, combine 2 cups ice with tequila, simple syrup, lime juice and beer into a blender. Blend, and pour into salt-rimmed glasses. Enjoy!
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💰 INTEREST RATES 📈
👊 Trending down for a bit and now it's a little bumpy 🤷♀️
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💬 A Little About Me…
Before I sign off, I thought I’d share something fun from this past season. I played in my very first fantasy football league this year — and I’m proud to say I finished in second place! My bestie took first and beat me fair and square, but I’ll admit it was such a fun (and sometimes frustrating!) experience. There were definitely moments when I wished I could jump right onto the field and give my guys a pep talk myself! 😂🏈
All in all, it was a great reminder that trying something new keeps life interesting — even when it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Here’s to more fun experiences, friendly competition, and new adventures in the year ahead!
As always, thank you for being part of my world and trusting me with your real estate needs. I’m truly so grateful for each of you.
And I’ll end with a little reminder — I’m always here to answer any questions, big or small. If there’s anything you’d like to talk through, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Warmly,
Kim
👉 Book a quick appointment with me here. ⬇️
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