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The holiday season allowed me some time to think about the patterns that we create in life and how things have changed, especially in these past 10 years!  We’ve become accustomed to carrying our “brains” (phone) in our hands – while this has  brought so much ease to our life, it’s also created quite a bit of havoc.  While I am so happy that I can order a book with a swipe of a bar on the Amazon website, there are still many times I really want to speak with an expert.  All too often, online “experts” claim that they can make your process easier and cheaper – sometimes they can!  But, for me, when I’m making major life decisions/changes I will remain a bit old fashioned and always turn to the trusted experts that I rely on –  not only do they do their job well, ultimately I know they care about me and my goals.
 
In this world of technology and fast pace, many companies have emerged in real estate, ultimately trying to remove Realtors from real estate transactions.  This has been frustrating to me for many reasons, but the crux of it is that I care deeply about my clients, their experience and their “home” goals.  My 14 years of experience have provided me with so much learning, problem solving and area expertise that I make available to all my clients. As examples, in this past year alone 1) In order to help my seller, I literally had to help the buyer of my Seller’s home, who I didn’t represent, find a new lender when their “online” lender failed them; the sale closed because of my problem solving skills and knowing the right people. 2) Using my ability to properly analyze and decipher the local market benefitted 30 Sellers that I represented in 2019 – 20 of those received at or above their asking price, in less than a week on market 3) Knowing how to create positive outcomes for my clients – I had occasion this year to learn more about side sewers than I ever imagined. I did so in order to solve my buyer’s problem and make the sale happen successfully. And, the list goes on!

It makes me happy when people say, “Thank you. You made the difference.”  I like to think, and I hope you do too, that working with me is more valuable than clicking “buy me” on a website (whose main goal is data gathering). My friend, Carl Medford says, (he’s a California Bay Area real estate expert), “Realtors make home happen” – know that I’ll always be ready to help you do just that.
     2020 MARKET PREDICTIONS

Every December/January my inbox is bombarded with various experts providing their best insight into what the year ahead may bring – here are the main themes that I am encountering.

*Rates will stay low (see chart below for current crazy low rates)

*Available Inventory will stay low, especially in certain locations (like the Proctor District, or a N. End home with a view, etc.) AND bidding wars will continue.

*Home value will continue to appreciate.

*Economists aren’t worried that the elections will have an impact on the housing market.

*More Millennials will be entering the home market as they are entering “home buying age” – just know they typically prefer smaller homes.

*Secondary markets will continue to benefit from primary markets that have become unaffordable (as Billie Eilish would say, “duh”).

*Boomers will be an important factor as they decide whether or not to sell and move to more

“manageable” situations.  Many are choosing to age in place, hang on to their homes and thus, keeping inventory suppressed.

NEED SOME INSPIRATION?
DAVID GOGGINS SAID YOU SHOULD FEEL “DISCOMFORT” EVERY DAY!

My nephew turned me on to this guy – he’s pretty amazing!  While he often focuses on the discomfort of being an athlete, there’s a lot of transfer to just day to day living as well.  I used to tell my students that “disequilibrium” was necessary to grow – I still think that’s true! davidgoggins.com

From the Washington Post:  Time to Think About Downsizing?

. . . But Maybe Not Too Much – The Downsides of a Tiny House
Over the holidays we stumbled on this video about surfing pigs – we all found it to be wonderful (maybe it was just because we were in Hawaii) . . thought I’d share for a smile. 

If you’re thinking about a pet pig, here’s a local resource (if you get one let me know so I can come over and cuddle!).

And, it’s always fun to dream –

Here’s a link to enter the drawing for the HGTV Home of the Year (you can enter every day)

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