While you can’t always count on a hot housing market, you can count on the certainty of a cash offer from Opendoor. | Photo provided by Opendoor
Location, location, location — that’s been the name of the real estate game for decades. These days, though, you may be hearing more: recession, economy, inflation… terms that definitely have less appeal.
The real estate market is cyclical, and today’s market is currently trying to find out where it will land (albeit a bit dramatically). The difference? Unlike big market turns of the past, this time we’ve swayed quickly from one extreme to the other.
In just two short years, we’ve seen outsized home price appreciation in most US markets (like right here in FTW), followed by a swift decline in housing demand. The whiplash of these fluctuations (and the uncertainty about what happens next) can be hard to wrap your head around.
The good news is, even though none of us can predict what will happen next, that’s okay. If you’re a seller or a buyer (or both) currently stuck in the loop of dreaming, hoping, anticipating + dreading, the experts at Opendoor have three tips to help ride the wave.
Tip No. 1: Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” time to sell or buy.
Hint: It doesn’t exist. The perfect time is what works best for you and your life. Some factors, like a growing family or a new job in another state, are an easy call. But other reasons require you to dig deep. Think:
Will a move improve your day-to-day life?
Will you gain more time, be closer to friends and family, or be nearer to activities that bring you joy?
Tip No. 2: Research your financing options.
The good news: You’ve got options. Whether you’re getting a new loan, refinancing, or looking to lower your payment, a mortgage calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford in minutes. There are also rate buydowns, which can help you lower your rate. Pro tip: A lender can help you figure out what your options are.*
Lightscape | Monday, Dec. 5-Sunday, Jan. 8 | 5:45-9 p.m. | Fort Worth Botanic Garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth | $18-$28 | Lightscape will illuminate evenings at the Garden with over one million holiday lights and artistic installations throughout a spectacular one-mile walking trail.
Escape Corporate: Employee to Entrepreneur | Monday, Dec. 5 | 7-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Discover the eight-step process of trading the corporate ladder for being your own boss.
Tuesday, Dec. 6
City Council Public Comment Meeting | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 6 p.m. | City Hall, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | Share your opinions on the ongoing city initiatives. Remember to fill out a speaker card.
Live Music | Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 7 p.m. | The Post at River East, 2925 Race St., Fort Worth | $20-$25 | Noiserot presents Heavy Heavy Low Low, Duck Duck Goose, and Executioner’s Mask in the Cold Texas Winter 2022 series.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
We Care 2022 | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 4-8 p.m. | Boys & Girls Clubs, 4651 Ramey Ave., Fort Worth | Free | Help kiddos create holiday gifts for their families, teachers, and friends.
Sing! An Irish Christmas | Wednesday, Dec. 7 | 7 p.m. | MacGorman Chapel and Performing Arts Center, 4616 Stanley Ave., Fort Worth | $20+ | Enjoy this special Christmas concert featuring modern hymn-writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Second Thursdays: Surreal & Stylish | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5-8 p.m. | The Carter, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Dress up for drinks, socializing, art, and games with a 60s surrealist theme.
Gingerbread Build-Off | Thursday, Dec. 8 | 6 p.m. | WRG Fort Worth Showroom, 707 W. Vickery Blvd., Ste. 101, Fort Worth | Free | Team up with your friends and build the best gingerbread house in town.
Friday, Dec. 9
Keith and Margo’s Murder in Sundance Square | Friday, Dec. 9 | 7-10 p.m. | Aloft Fort Worth Downtown Hotel, 334 W. 3rd St., Fort Worth | $63+ | Get in on the action and be both the investigator and the suspect in this mystery dinner theater.
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
The city has extended the Fort Worth Neighborhood Awards deadline to Thursday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. Nominate your neighborhood’s specific projects or representatives in various categories. 🏆
Sports
On Saturday, TCU fell to Kansas State (31-28) in overtime in the Big 12 Championship. Despite the loss, the Horned Frogs will play Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl on New Years Eve. 🏈
On Friday, The Texas Rangerssigned right-handed pitcher Jacob deGrom to a five year contract. Coming from the New York Mets, deGrom’s contract is worth $185 million. ⚾️
Open
Shake Shackopened in WestBend over the weekend. Head to 1601 S. University Dr. for a burger and shake + check out what else is new in the area. 🥤
Concert
Looking for an alternative to holiday tunes?The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra is trading “Silent Night” for Star Wars. Head to Will Rogers Concert Hall Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 for a rendition of John Williams’ beloved score. ✨
Eat
McDonald’s is launching a test restaurant in White Settlement. The familiar fast food chain at 8540 West Fwy. will feature a new order ahead lane separate from the drive-thru where customers preorder on the app and pick up food from a conveyor belt. 🍔
Drink
After three years of aging, Blackland Distillery’s flagship bourbon is ready to be uncorked. Prairie Gold, a Texas straight bourbon made with Lone Star grains will hit the shelves in January. Stop by the tasting room (2616 Weisenberger St.) for a sip. 🥃
Each year, the Human Rights Campaign releases a Municipal Equality Index that takes a deep dive into municipal laws, policies, services, and how inclusive they are of LGBTQ+ people.
Fort Worth earned a score of 100 out of 100. Here’s a breakdown of our perfect score and how we can go even further.
Scores
Non-discrimination: 30/30
Municipality as Employer: 20/28 + a bonus for city employee domestic partner benefits
Services: 12/12 + a bonus for city-offered services for LGBTQ+ older adults and those living with HIV or AIDS
Even a perfect score doesn’t mean a perfect city. Fort Worth earned its perfect score with bonus points and would achieve a higher score from the HRC with a few extra efforts. For example, the municipality could offer transgender-inclusive healthcare benefits to its employees, and Fort Worth could elect or appoint an openly LGBTQ+ leader.
Want to get involved? Check out these local organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.
Editor’s pick: Cowtown’s favorite annual foodie event is returning again. Tickets are on sale now for the 2023 Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival (Thursday, March 30-Sunday, April 2). I’m most excited for the Night Market, a global street market experience — basically a passport to Flavortown. 🌎
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