👋 Hi from Faby 💛
Hi friends,
Halloween was so much fun this year! It was the first time I let the kids dress up as horror-movie characters. They've grown, and so have the costumes. 😄 My husband and I joined in on the fun too (I'm the one with the claws).
For Día de Muertos, I brought pan de muerto for my students at school, and at home we set up our ofrenda to remember our loved ones. Now we're right in the middle of soccer season, so life is busy in the best way.
Whatever you celebrate this season, I hope you're making time for the people you love.
Con cariño, Faby
📍 Spot of the Month
☕ Lazy Labrador Coffee House
📍 2886 Cherokee St NW, historic downtown Kennesaw
My reel about this spot got so much love that it had to be my first Spot of the Month! It's in a renovated 1909 building right across from the Southern Museum, with good coffee, sweet treats, plenty of seating, and it's dog-friendly. 🐶
🍂 Get Your Home Ready for the First Freeze
A few quick things that can save you a big headache (and a big bill) once the cold settles in:
- Clean your gutters once most of the leaves are down, so rain drains away from your house.
- Protect outdoor faucets. Disconnect garden hoses and cover outdoor faucets before the first hard freeze.
- Check your heat. Change the HVAC filter and turn the heat on before you really need it, so the first cold night has no surprises.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and swap the batteries while you're at it.
- Stay in the kitchen on Thanksgiving. It's the peak day of the year for home cooking fires, so don't leave the stove while you fry, sauté or broil, and keep a lid nearby.
Need a plumber, HVAC tech, or handyman you can trust? Just reach out and I'll send you my list.
📊 Market Snapshot: Cobb County
(6.22% a year ago)
💡 What this means for you
Rate: Freddie Mac, Nov 5, 2026. Cobb data: Momentum Realty and Zillow, Aug–Oct 2026.
💰 Money Tip: New Homeowner? Don't Miss This
If you bought a home in Cobb County this year and it's your primary residence, you may be able to lower your property taxes with a homestead exemption. You need to live in the home by January 1, and the deadline to apply is April 1. You only apply once, and it stays in place while you live there.
Apply online with the Cobb County Tax Commissioner at cobbtax.org. In some cities, like Acworth, an extra "floating" homestead benefit is added automatically once Cobb approves yours.
📖 Helpful read: Homestead exemptions: what they are and how to apply (FOX 5 Atlanta)
✍️ From My Blog
Rates Ease for a Third Week to 7.18%: What to Line Up Before Your First Offer. Thinking about buying in 2026? Here's a plain-English checklist of what to have ready before you make your first offer. 👉 Read it here
💪 Strong, Confident You: The Thanksgiving Walk
After the big meal, before dessert, get everyone outside for a 10-minute walk around the block. It helps you feel less stuffed, gets the kids moving, and it's a great time to talk without phones.
Try it this year and make it a family tradition. It all counts!
💌 Until Next Month
Thank you for being part of my community. If you ever need anything (a contractor recommendation, a question about your home's value, or just a good coffee spot), reach out. I read every message.
Happy Thanksgiving! Faby
Sources: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (Nov 5, 2026); Momentum Realty and Zillow Cobb County market data (Aug–Oct 2026); Cobb County Tax Commissioner and City of Marietta homestead info; FOX 5 Atlanta (Jul 2026); National Fire Protection Association (Thanksgiving cooking fires).
