McKenna Wesley | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Although the children are now grown and many have families of their own, they still ask to play the game every year. “It’s the highlight of the day and a way to laugh and enjoy one another,” Christensen said. This year, the holidays will take on special meaning. Christensen isn’t planning to buy lots of presents, believing that time together is the most precious gift. Instead of focusing on material things, Christensen will be hugging her family tight, praying for those who have lost loved ones, anonymously buying gifts and meals for those in need, savoring an extra piece of pie and enjoying her warm decorations. Especially the holiday village. According to Freddie Mac, on Oct. 22, the average for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 2.8 percent from 2.81 percent with an average 0.6 point. (A point is a fee buyers pay, typically amounting to 1 percent of the loan, to get a better rate.) The average rate is well below the 3.75 percent level of one year ago, and the lowest since Freddie Mac began conducting the survey 49 years ago. Existing-home sales rose 21 percent compared to one year ago to an annual rate of 6.54 million in September and up 9.4 percent, even compared to August 2020. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median existing-home sales price rose 15 percent from one year ago to $311,800 in September. Houses are selling fast too, with 71 percent selling in less than one month in September. Due to the fast pace of home sales, there’s a record low number of homes available on the market. According to the NAR, if the sales pace continues, the 1.47 million homes on the market now will be gone in 2.7 months. TOP FIVE REASONS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF RECORD-LOW INTEREST RATES: 1. Upgrade to a bigger home for the same payment 2. Do a cash-back refinance for home improvements 3. Refinance and add a pool 4. Consolidate your debt and eliminate stress 5. Lower your payment / Save thousands in interest KIESHA McFADDEN CHECKING IN WITH... MARKET UPDATE /// GIVING BACK /// This year has been a challenging journey for everyone in our country. But it has also been a catalyst for many of us to reflect on how fortunate we are and the bless- ings we have in our lives, like family and friends that often go overlooked when we get lost in the hubbub of our daily lives. With the holidays approaching, I would like to challenge everyone to look outside of themselves and see what we can do to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate in our communities. 16930 E. Palisades Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268 NMLS #1467650 KIESHA MCFADDEN | 480.252.9365 Kiesha@TolisMortgageUSA.com NMLS #198458 STYLE UNLOCKED (continued)

2446 E CAMELBACK ROAD | 602.955.8000 One-of-a-kind gifts, virtual shopping and a million other ways to find some holiday sparkle... THIS IS HOW WE CELEBRATE Assael