If you’re ready for local Alabama fright, AL.com’s Haunted House Guide lists 25 spine-tingling attractions across the state this season. From Birmingham’s “Atrox Factory,” one of the largest indoor haunts in the Southeast, to Huntsville’s “Haunted Hill,” Alabama has no shortage of thrills and chills. Some spots go for full theatrical effects, while others rely on old-school jump scares and pitch-black mazes. A few even host family-friendly nights with lights on and no monsters. Whether you’re hunting zombies, clowns, or ghosts, these haunted houses offer a fun mix of terror and laughter to get you in the Halloween spirit.

REAL ESTATE TO BEHOLD

Since one of the sections above talked about a record setting cross country trip we wanted to have a Real Estate to Behold section that crisscrossed the United States as well.

First, we'll travel to upstate New York. A stunning Hudson Valley estate known as Mill Farm has hit the market for $90 million, POTENTIALLY setting a new record for the area. Spanning 2,150 acres, the property was assembled over 40 years by former financier Daniel Slott and features ten homes, fifteen barns, and a 2.5-mile horse gallop track. Its centerpiece is a converted 18th-century grist mill turned 5,500-square-foot residence with waterfall views. Slott is selling after decades of stewardship, as his children aren’t interested in maintaining the vast estate. The listing far surpasses the region’s previous $18.5 million record and underscores growing demand among ultra-wealthy buyers for private, legacy properties outside traditional luxury markets. Click below to see more!

Next down in Florida: an oceanfront home in Gulf Stream—originally built for a Vanderbilt heiress—recently sold for $21.625 million. The property’s design features classic coastal elegance, with Mediterranean touches, large terraces, expansive windows, and manicured gardens that frame the Atlantic views. The sale underlines how homes with provenance, architectural pedigree, and prime location CONTINUE to command premium pricing in Florida’s luxury market. Check out this amazing property below.

Quick jaunt from there to the California desert for this one from a relative of one of the most important folks in Chicago history, Charles Wacker. This modern, self-sustaining home is now asking $14 million, and is listed by Wendy Wacker, the great-granddaughter of the famous Chicago city planner.

Set in Yucca Valley, the house is designed to operate off the grid, powered by both wind turbines and a solar array. Large windows, open interiors, and minimalist design let it blend into the desert surroundings while embracing sustainable luxury. The listing underscores a growing niche: affluent buyers seeking homes that not only offer privacy and views but also energy independence and architectural distinction. It’s a far cry from traditional luxury mansions, leaning instead into innovation, stewardship, and legacy, especially with the Wacker name attached. Click below to see more of this one!

And then finally, check this one out… That’s a house pictured below NOT a hotel resort below... Listed at $108 million, 1900 Spindrift Drive in La Jolla, California, is aptly named The Sand Castle. The 13,000-square-foot oceanfront estate includes a private beach (a rarity in California), 10 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a saltwater pool, and sweeping views of the Pacific. Designed by renowned interior designer Timothy Corrigan, the property blends French Riviera glamour with modern coastal luxury - complete with gold-gilded rooms, a boat-themed bar, spa, and multiple cabanas. With unmatched craftsmanship and exclusivity, it’s one of Southern California’s most spectacular waterfront homes. Click below to see more of this incredible property.

THE ECONOMY AND REAL ESTATE

The Federal Reserve has been in the news a lot in the past few months, and this update is no different! Two Fed governors are publicly disagreeing about how quickly to lower interest rates at their meeting this month. Recently appointed Governor Stephen Miran wants an aggressive half-point cut, while Governor Christopher Waller supports a more cautious quarter-point reduction.

The Fed’s interest rates affect everything from car loans to credit cards, so when the Fed changes them, it impacts millions of Americans' wallets. Miran argues the Fed should move faster because he's worried about the jobs market and rising tensions between the U.S. and China. He even dissented at September's meeting, being outvoted 11-1 when he pushed for a bigger cut. Meanwhile, Waller wants to take it slow and steady, cutting rates gradually while watching how the economy responds. He's concerned about "rekindling inflationary pressure by moving too quickly" after all the progress they've made fighting inflation.

A government shutdown has made their decision a little harder by stopping important economic data the Fed normally uses. Both men were appointed by President Trump, and Waller is actually being considered to replace Fed Chair Jerome Powell when his term ends in May 2026. Markets are betting nearly 100% on a quarter-point or more cut at the October 28-29 meeting, but the bigger debate is about what comes next. Our editors will be watching! Click below to read more.

The Federal Reserve has OTHER tools in their toolbox other than just interest rate changes and they dropped another hint about their plans! In a speech this week to the National Association for Business Economics in Philadelphia, Fed Chair Jerome Powell signaled the Fed's "quantitative tightening" program (basically shrinking the amount of money the Fed holds) could be coming to an end soon.

What does this mean for regular people? Since the Fed started QT, it's been reducing its massive balance sheet by letting bonds mature without replacing them, which pulls money out of the economy. Powell noted the labor market remains stuck in "low-hiring, low-firing doldrums," and ending QT could provide some relief. According to market strategist Callie Cox, stopping the balance sheet runoff "could help LOWER YIELDS in the middle to long part of the curve.” That could be a hidden source of relief for homeowners that rate cuts ALONE may not be able to deliver.

Translation? Better mortgage rates and cheaper business loans could be around the corner! While Powell emphasized the Fed will take a "meeting-by-meeting" approach to future rate cuts, the possibility of pausing QT gave markets an immediate boost. Treasury yields fell, and investors saw it as positive news for borrowing costs heading into the end of the year. Click below to read more.

Without more economic data to talk about, we do still have some great news to share from our friends at Keeping Current Matters. One of the true indicators of the housing market overall, is New Home Sales. It can help determine how many houses builders will start in the future and the current appetite for houses in any given market. Given the chart below, the appetite is APPROACHING a 31 mile Taco Bell run worth of appetite as New home sales levels below hit their highest level in a while. Check it out below..

RATES:

Pricing and rates remain erratic and volatile. Confirm rates & pricing directly with your loan officer.

Check out the trivia below and remember, there is a drawing to enter to win a gift card. This is your chance to enter for a chance to win the gift card awarded every other month. This trivia question is for the September & October drawing/card.

TRIVIA QUESTION

Since we had the Taco Bell road race in our update, our editors felt like a trivia question about the ubiquitous restaurant chain HAD to be included. Taco Bell was founded by Glen Bell in 1962 after he got rid of his hamburger stand. Taco Bell originally featured NO indoor seating, only having walk up window and instead had outdoor seating around firepits with live mariachi bands. Back then, each menu item only cost 19 cents. In what California city did Glen Bell put his first namesake Taco Bell?

A. Compton

B. Pomona

C. Downey

D. San Bernadino

E. Huntington Beach

F. Fontana

Click here to EMAIL ME YOUR ANSWER.

**Email your answer to me to have your name entered in a drawing for a gift card at the beginning of even months and YES you can go back and answer previous weeks’ questions if you have not answered them already AND if we have not unveiled the answer yet***