January 2025 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to 2025!

Red Hills Home Team would like to take a moment to share

our sincere thanks with YOU!

2024 was a year of ups and downs in the current real estate market, but YOU, our amazing clients, helped us be a very successful team in a very tough market. In an economy where inflation soared, interest rates continued high and elections caused division, our focus remained the same: to provide exceptional service from the heart.

With your help, we were able to sell 30 homes, 3 currently pending, and 4 active listings. We staged 12 homes, held 4 large client events, and are working with 15 active buyers/sellers. Not too bad for what experts called in the industry, "the lowest home sales in 34 years".

Spotlight on McMinnville

Welcome to McMinnville; a warm, inviting, and genuinely friendly destination with many points of interest. McMinnville is the most populous city in our beautiful Yamhill County, named after its founder, William T. Newby’s hometown, McMinnville, Tennessee. It is the home to Linfield University, known for its athletics and nursing programs. It’s the perfect median location, just 54 miles to the beach, 37 miles to Portland, and only 26 miles to our state capital, Salem. You might know McMinnville for its famous McMenamin’s UFO Festival or the place to visit Howard Hughes’s legendary “Spruce Goose”, but there is so much more to this small wine country town.

Historic downtown Third Street is the best place for anyone to have a great time, especially in the evening with the twinkling lights overhead! Do you like beer or wine? Grab a drink at any of the various breweries or wineries, some favorites include Golden Valley Brewery, NW Food & Gifts, Chris James Cellars, Pike Road Wines, or Bierly Brewing

Do you love live music? Check out Hotel Oregon, Willamette Valley Vineyards, or even the local Grange to hear local musicians do their thing! Do you need games or trivia in your life? Visit Mac Market, Foreland Beer, Stickmen Brewery, or Two Dogs Taphouse for weekly or monthly events. Are you a foodie? There are too many amazing places to list, but make sure to visit Pura Vida, Pizza Capo, or Humble Spirit. Need some retail therapy? Make sure to go to Cupcake Couture, Accessory Appeal, La Bella Casa, or Third Street Books. Are you a history buff? Drive to the west of town to check out the Yamhill Valley Heritage Museum to see various displays of artifacts from the 1800s and 1900s. Do you have a special event coming up, like a birthday or wedding? Research venues like The Bindery, Stillwater Event Space, The Preserve Event Space, or even the McMinnville Community Center. No matter what your needs are, McMinnville is THE place to visit!

2025 Events that make McMinnville great!

McMennamins Annual UFO Fest

May 16 - 17th, 2025

It all started with a UFO sighting in 1950 on a farm just outside McMinnville. The fascination continues, don’t miss this fun event!

Cruising McMinnville

2025

4th Saturday in August, 2025

This car show has a community focus,

raising money for our schools and beyond.

A fun event that is safe for the whole family!

Walnut City Music Festival

Get ready to rock out in the Lower City Park of McMinnville in August! Dates TBD. Get ready to relax to some amazing bands and enjoy lots of food and beverage vendors.

McMinnville Gallery Theater

Did you know we have an outstanding LIVE theater right here in Mac? If you have not seen a show, there will be 7 entertaining shows in thte 2025 season

Spotlight on Design in 2025

As we look back on 2024 and forward into 2025, interior design is undergoing an exciting shift, with evolving trends that reflect both our changing lifestyles and growing concerns about sustainability and well-being. Last year, we saw a strong emphasis on bold colors and statement pieces, with deep jewel tones, rich patterns, and a resurgence of maximalism taking center stage. People embraced eclectic, layered interiors, mixing various textures and styles to create spaces full of personality. There was also a noticeable return to vintage and retro-inspired designs, as homeowners sought to add warmth and nostalgia to their homes through the use of mid-century modern furniture, bold wallpaper, and colorful accessories However, as we move into 2025, there is a shift toward more calming, nature-inspired environments. Earthy tones like terracotta, olive green, and warm neutrals are taking over, offering a sense of tranquility and connection to the outdoors. Sustainability is a key theme, with an increasing focus on using eco-friendly materials such as recycled

textiles, sustainable wood, and low-VOC paints. The minimalist approach, which emphasizes simplicity and functionality, is also gaining momentum. While last year’s maximalist trend celebrated boldness, this year’s minimalist designs lean towards soft, harmonious spaces that prioritize comfort and sustainability without sacrificing style. nother major change is the growing importance of wellness in design. Biophilic

elements—such as indoor plants, natural light, and organic materials—are now considered essential in creating spaces that nurture mental and physical well-being. People are moving away from stark, overly curated spaces and opting for designs that feel organic and lived-in. Multi-functional furniture is also more in demand, especially in urban apartments or smaller homes, where adaptability and flexibility are key. In short, while 2024 was about boldness, personality, and nostalgia, 2025 is focusing more on simplicity, sustainability, and wellness. As we continue to navigate a fast-paced world, people are seeking spaces that offer comfort, calm, and a deeper connection to nature—creating homes that not only look beautiful but feel like a true sanctuary.

TAYLOR SWIFT

The eras tour comes to an end:

our very own Dusty’s take on the movement

The Eras Tour by Taylor Swift was nothing short of a cultural phenomenon, showcasing not only her extraordinary musical talent but also her ability to craft an experience that resonated deeply with fans of all ages. From the first note to the last, the era's tour was nothing short of a masterpiece of decades of music.

I was lucky enough to go see the Era’s tour twice, once in New Orleans and once in Vancouver, BC. One of the best parts of being at the show is the amount of love and support from everyone around you. From the amount of glitter in the room to the friendship bracelets and hyping each other up for their cute outfits it’s hard not to feel pure joy! My husband went and even he started complimenting outfits and trading bracelets!

Honestly, one of the better parts about the Era’s tour is the build up! Planning outfits, touring new cities, and meeting so many new people! Each city really embraced the Swifties and made fun adventures all around town for people to go see and experience.

I know not everyone is a fan of Taylor, but she has an undeniable power to make everyone feel included and loved! In the end, it was an amazing experience to be a part of and I can't wait for her next tour to do it again!!

2025 Market Update/Forecast

The charts above are a great look at what the current market is doing in Yamhill and Marion Counties. As you can see, we are still in a slight seller's market. This is because home prices have remained steady and inventory is still low.

Today, the national average 30 year fixed mortgage rate is 6.95%. Weren’t rates in the mid 6's just a couple weeks ago? Yep, we believe that 2025 will continue to bounce around, and many experts are hopefully predicting they will settle down near 6%. However, NOBODY has a crystal ball! January is typically volatile and rates can have large swings day to day.

Next week will be the first full business week of 2025, here’s what will happen: It’s Jobs Week, that’s where we will get the national jobs report where we will see how the jobs market finished up for 2024. We will also get the JOLT report - this report details the number of hires, jobs quit, and jobs available. Lastly, we will get the treasury auction and Fed speakers, which can have a big impact on market movement. All these reports contribute to the decisions made for interest rates. Again, we don’t have a crystal ball, but experts believe Americans are getting used to a “new normal” rate that will settle closer to 6%.

*Charts courtesy of TICOR TITLE