Something New for 2025!

Volume 1: Issue 001 | Read Time: 4 minutes

Happy Friday!

I hope, in the midst of all that’s happening around us, this finds you well.

The beginning of the year for me has always been a time of reflection. I enjoy looking back at where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and what I want to accomplish going forward.

This past year was especially significant as it marked my 20^th year in real estate. It also turned out to be one of the most volatile real estate markets and social environments I’ve experienced during my tenure which has included navigating both Great Recession and Covid.  

The best way I’ve found to get through unpredictable times is to stay informed. We need relevant info from trusted sources so that we can make the best decisions possible for ourselves and the people we care about.

I’m hoping to make this a bit easier for you, at least when it comes to decisions about your homes, by sharing the trends and opportunities I’m seeing in our local real estate markets on a monthly basis. I hope it helps you keep your pulse on what’s happening, if and when it becomes important or interesting to you.

To kick this off, I thought it would be fun to share the top 5 bigger picture pieces of wisdom I’ve gleaned from my first twenty years in this crazy career:

#5 - Time in the market is more important than timing the market.

We’re fortunate to live where we do for many reasons  - beautiful scenery, a diverse economy, abundant opportunities for work and play, and plenty of sunshine. These same reasons have made it desirable for decades. In terms of real estate, this isn’t without challenges, especially for anything related to affordability.

The flip side however, is that short-term volatility and risk are consistently managed by investing and owning for longer periods of time. We never know what new forces may act on the market (looking at you covid). Those we do know about are predictably unpredictable. Luckily, the old adage of “location, location, location” carries far more weight here than most places and can be our biggest safety net when given enough time to play out.

#4 - If it’s the right time for you, it’s the right time.

One of my mentors used to say that the answer to “Is it a good time to buy or sell?” is always “Yes.” After two decades and countless conversations that started with this question, the better answer is “Yes, if it’s what’s best for you.” Life happens, often when we don’t expect it to, and our needs change with it. The good news is that sellers still sell, buyers still buy, builders still build – all year, every year, no matter what the market conditions are. The the number of homes for sale, the time it takes, and the relative prices of homes change all the time. But things still happen, people still move, people still invest.

In other words, if you need or want to, it’s possible. What changes is how adapt our approach to be successful depending on the conditions we’re working with. It’s the same principle as choosing an outfit for the day depending on the weather. And, just like where we live, having multiple layers to any approach is always a safe bet so we’re prepared when the conditions change.

#3 - There is always opportunity.

Regardless of what the overall market is doing at any given time, there will be a way to benefit from it. Some opportunities may be shorter-term and some may require a longer timeline. Some may carry more risk and some may have a greater potential benefit. The key is to remember that they exist and within them lives flexibility, safety, and potential.

#2 - Every time you buy or sell, you’re helping someone.

I know this one sounds clichéd but it’s real, hear me out. The home you bought helped the seller move forward with whatever was next for them. The house you sold became a home for someone – either the buyer or their tenant. Homes are a major part of our lives and they’re far more than simply the things we can see and touch. They’re also a massive investment which makes it easy to think of them purely as assets. However, if we zoom out a bit, it’s easier to see that what’s really changing hands in these transactions goes far beyond the foundations and finishes or dollars and cents. 

#1 - Intuition matters.

If you made me choose one piece of wisdom to share from the past twenty years, this is it. Decisions having to do with real estate are big decisions. They’re often accompanied by big transitions, high stakes, and juggling multiple priorities. It’s easy to see why analysis paralysis is a very real, and very normal, thing to experience during the process. The good news is that every one of us has been practicing decision making thousands of times a day for our entire lives. We all have a well-developed compass, we just have to remember to trust it to get our bearings when things get overwhelming.

For as much as I’ve learned about real estate in twenty years, I’ve learned exponentially more about myself. I have a deep affinity for helping people accomplish things they care about, in real estate and in life in general. My favorite thing about this career continues to be the relationships I have, and the people I get to work with.

Thank you for being on this journey with me and for making it possible. It truly means the world to me.

Until next month, stay warm, stay safe, and be well!

Scott