October 2025 Newsletter

I hope your fall is off to a great start. I can't believe Halloween is already here and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. Fall is my favorite time of the year — boots and sweaters, apple-picking, pumpkin patches, maybe tackling a corn maze (one of these years I'll make it through without raising the white flag!) and yes... indulging in the best of the season's treats. Here's a roundup of what I love most about this time of year.

 

Get out and enjoy the season

• Apple picking: Edwards Apple Orchard and All Seasons are my go-to spots
• Must-make recipe: Salted Caramel Apple Pie Bars — a seasonal staple
• Pumpkins: Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm and Didier Farms
• Corn mazes: Kroll's Farm, Richardson's, and Cottonwood Farm
• Haunted houses (I'll sit this one out, but friends swear by these): Dungeon of Doom, Terror in the Timbers, Realm of Terror

Fall is the ideal window to take care of your home — not too hot, not too cold, just right for getting outside and checking things off the list. Here's what we do every year:

 

• Service the furnace and replace filters before the cold sets in
• Clean gutters and clear roof debris to prevent water or ice damage
• Drain outdoor hoses, winterize sprinklers, and shut off exterior faucets
• Trim trees and shrubs to reduce storm-related damage
• Test smoke and CO detectors and refresh first-aid supplies
• Seal air gaps around windows and doors to keep drafts out
• Check exterior lighting for safety as days get shorter

Need a Trusted Vendor?

I'm happy to share a few great local contacts for any of these projects. Just reach out.

 

 

The housing market, like the leaves, is shifting. As we move toward winter, fewer homes come to market and fewer buyers are actively searching — which can actually be an advantage for those who stay in the game. Less competition often means more room to negotiate terms and pricing.

 

The 30-year fixed rate has eased to around 6.27% as of mid-October, an encouraging development heading into the slower season. Builder confidence has reached a six-month high as new-home incentives attract buyers who've been sidelined by affordability. In the Northwest Suburbs, the market is active but more balanced — Prospect Heights, Wheeling, Elk Grove Village, and Mount Prospect have seen solid price gains, while Schaumburg and Arlington Heights remain in high demand with stable values.

 

With the Fed expected to cut rates modestly to support the labor market, buyers who act before the spring rush — when competition returns in force — may find meaningful advantages in price and terms.

Enjoy the Season — and Let's Plan Ahead