News And Information From By Whaley & Associates

In 2020, just as the spring market was heating up, it was unceremoniously brought to a standstill by the shutdowns and precautions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, both buyers and sellers have seen a host of ups and downs that added up to one of the most active, and in some ways frustrating, real estate markets on record.

Now, as we approach the first-year anniversary, what can you expect from this year’s spring market and how will it differ from last year’s—especially since many parts of the country are still more or less shut down? Here are a few predictions to help you prepare for whatever comes next.

Interest rates will stay low.

National Cherry Blossom Festival   Through Apr. 11
Designed to incorporate both virtual and personal experiences, the Festival programs can be enjoyed by both residents and visitors to the Washington, DC area and fans from afar. www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org

Virtual Hapalua Festival   Apr. 1-30
The Hapalua is the largest half marathon in Hawaii, organized by the Honolulu Marathon Association. Run or walk 5k, 10k or the Hapalua half-marathon. You can do one, two or all three distances! We usually start on the beach in Waikiki, but this year you can start and finish your race anywhere in the world! https://virtual.thehapalua.com

Oxford Virtual Film Festival   Apr. 1-30
The Oxford Film Festival celebrates the art of independent cinema. Through year-round programming, the festival works to encourage filmmaking in Oxford and north Mississippi as part of the global film community, while cultivating audience appreciation of cinema through screenings, workshops and educational programs that culminate in the annual festival. www.oxfordfilmfest.com

The International Hope Music Festival   Apr. 3-4
This unique festival is one of the biggest in the world. In this event we have over 18 Artists who will perform for you, so spread the word and join this truly global event together with your international friends.   https://ladolcevita.events

Cleveland International Film Festival   Apr. 7-20
We promote artistically and culturally significant film arts through education and exhibition to enrich the life of the community. In other words, we present the newest and best films from around the world, and we do everything in our power to make sure that our audience learns something along the way. www.clevelandfilm.org

Seattle International Film Festival   Apr. 8-18
SIFF’s mission is to create experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that we foster a community that is more informed, aware, and alive.   www.siff.net

Austin International Poetry Festival   Apr. 9-10
Poets from around the world, country and all of Texas gather for four days of virtual performances, readings and workshops during the Austin International Poetry Festival. AIPF provides an inclusive, diverse, multi-generational environment welcoming the broadest possible audience of poets and non-poets alike in appreciation of the spoken and written word.   www.aipf.org

San Antonio Book Festival   Apr. 9-11
We will be using an online platform called Accelevents to run the festival, which will allow us to offer book clubs, groups of friends, and classes the opportunity to chat privately among themselves during an event. There will be also a "networking" capability to mimic the in-person festival, where attendees can meet one another and talk about which events they're attending and enjoying.   www.sabookfestival.org

Sum of Us Virtual Festival   Apr. 9-11
The First Ever Wellness Festival for Womxn, Trans, and Gender Non-Conforming Folx. Whether it's in the form of a live fest, virtual fest, or weekly healing sessions we are still producing our mission: to evolve the womEns, trans, and GNC communities through wellness, education, and authenticity. www.sumofusfest.com

Seattle Cherry Blossom & Japanese Cultural Festival   Apr. 9-11
Underscoring the deep friendship between Seattle and Japan as it honors the renewal of life with springtime cherry blossoms, booming Taiko drums, contemporary Japanese arts and a traditional tea ceremony.   www.seattlecenter.com

BAM Festival   Apr. 10
BAM Festival, a books, art, and music convention for authors, illustrators, and performers who write for children and young adults, provides a county-wide literary experience bringing together authors, teachers, students, families and the community to share their love of books.   www.bamwpb.org

Locals Air Fest  Apr. 10-11
An online festival on IG Live! It's about bringing locals together to celebrate art, music, food, and culture. At Locals, we value community, sustainability, and creativity! We are also giving back to the community with your help! 100% of proceeds will be donated to One Tree Planted. $1 = 1 tree planted. www.localsfestival.com

Virtual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival   Apr. 12-16
We are honored to celebrate Andrea Davis Pinkney as this year’s 2021 Southern Miss Medallion winner! We have lots of other incredible keynote and workshop offerings as well, with all sessions featuring live captioning.   www.usm.edu

Sun Valley Film Festival   Apr. 14-18
SVFF supports independent film and the magic of storytelling. It's mission to celebrate and award filmmakers who are established and emerging has earned the Festival accolades by the film industry, film festival goers, film lovers, and filmmakers. Though things look a little different this year, it doesn't mean the party has to end. Get cozy and get ready to stream emerging voices and inspiring visionaries right from the comfort of your own living room. www.sunvalleyfilmfestival.org

American Youth Circus Festival   Apr. 17-18
Online activities will include workshops, social events, youth-led activities, and more. Meet other circus youth from all over, learn interesting and useful skills, discover new things, and geek out about everything circus-related! www.americanyouthcircus.org

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books   Apr. 17-23
Since 1996, The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books has gathered writers, poets, artists, filmmakers, musicians and emerging storytellers. Now in its 25th year, it is the largest event of its kind in the United States. https://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks

Festival International de Louisiane    Apr. 21-24
We will take the 2020 Virtual Fest structure to the next level by combining live/immersive experiences in Downtown Lafayette, plus community-centered components to create an unforgettable event. Festival International will once again put the talent of Lafayette onto a global virtual stage combined with some of the finest talent from around the world, while also sharing memories of past festivals. www.festivalinternational.org

Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival   Apr. 22-24
Three days dedicated to stepping into climate leadership. Join in on conversations with climate leaders, get into the groove with musical performances and art contests, build community and connect with eco-minded exhibitors, and learn how you can lean into climate action at this urgent moment.   www.sbearthday.org

FitnessFest   Apr. 22-25
Workouts and training from top notch industry leaders. Recordings available post event. Workshops and seminars on active aging. Marketing strategies and business tips that work. Holistic nutrition and cutting-edge therapies for optimal wellness. Best practices for virtual workouts. Inspiring and motivating keynotes. Network and mingle with your peers online. And so much more! www.fitnessfest.org/2021conference

Living Earth Virtual Festival   Apr. 23-26
In celebration of Earth Day, the National Museum of the American Indian's annual Living Earth Festival will be available on demand over four days. Living Earth brings together Native innovators and practitioners dedicated to using Indigenous knowledge to protect and sustain the environment. Through cooking demonstrations, conversations and film screenings, this year's festival explores agriculture trends, innovations and sustainability in Indigenous communities and Native-owned businesses.   www.si.edu

5th Ave Arts Festival   Apr. 24-May 3
A celebration of the rich cultural Heritage of a Historic African American Community, using the arts and other activities. This year will be virtual event and all vendor and artist "booths" will be free. The festival began in the summer of 1979 when group University of Florida students and community residents joined together to organize an event to share and promote the rich cultural history of the Fifth Avenue/Seminary Lane community.   www.culturalartscoalition.org

Micheaux Film Festival   Apr. 26-May 2
A multicultural film festival that showcases and celebrates diverse representation in the entertainment landscape, while cultivating a community that gives artists an opportunity to tell their unique stories. In addition to the screening content, filmmakers and attendees had access to networking mixers, Q&A panels, and several Master Class workshops. www.filmfreeway.com/TheMicheauxFilmFestival

Take Back The Night Global Virtual Event   Apr. 29
Survivor stories, poetry, authors, activists, and special guests! The Take Back the Night Foundation’s mission as a charitable 501(c)(3) Foundation is to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. We serve to create safe communities and respectful relationships through awareness events and initiatives.   www.takebackthenight.org

Philly’s All City Jazz Festival   Apr. 30 An all-day virtual event, featuring student performances and Masterclasses led by Philly POPS and Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia artists. Students, parents, and the public will be invited to tune into the virtual performances. The program includes the All-City Jazz Showcase, presenting the most accomplished jazz students of the School District of Philadelphia.   www.phillypops.org

OhioDance Virtual Festival   Apr. 30-May 2 Rebuilding Legacy: Inclusivity and Equity in dance. Guest artist will be Los Angeles Choreographer, James Gregg. Throughout the weekend there will be performances, films, dance sessions and demonstrations. www.artsinohio.com

After initial COVID-related disruptions to the real estate market in March 2020, real estate was declared an essential service. Subsequently, virtual transaction and marketing processes made it possible for buyers and sellers to move forward with home sales. What followed was one of the most active real estate markets in recent memory, with buyer demand far outstripping the availability of listings in markets all over North America.

In the process, low interest rates and multiple offers became commonplace, driving up home prices, giving homeowners unprecedented levels of home equity, and making them even more reluctant to put their homes on the market. After all, the thinking goes, wouldn’t it make sense to continue holding out and see how high the market will rise?

Now, however, as we pass the one-year mark, it’s time to talk about next steps, and why it might finally be time for homeowners to pull the trigger and put their homes on the market.

Interest rates are on the rise