How could the Seattle real estate business be good?
Thanks, the real estate business is good.
“This has been a busy month.”
Skeptical looks are what I get when I answer the question: How’s the real estate business?
How could that be?
The first answer is: life goes on.
Babies are born and families get bigger, couples get married and some get divorced, people lose jobs and find jobs, they get demoted, promoted and transferred, some people lose their investment and others gain by inheritance.
Two years ago, when business was still booming, when credit was easy, when homes were sold and bought in a matter of days, when multiple offers were the rule I didn’t do as well. Now nothing is easy.
And that’s the second answer: now it takes an expert who makes his or her living in the business of real estate, somebody whose expertise is in demand and who will work hard.
So this was the month when I had little time to post a blog because I was busy with my clients - and enjoying every minute of it. I was delighted to help a young couple – let’s call them Jacob and Jane - to find their first home. We had been looking off and on since spring and we were in no hurry. Taking their time enabled Jacob and Jane to decide against an area they had first considered desirable. Taking their time made them more aware of what was really important in a first home and neighborhood. Making an offer that was rejected was part of the learning experience.
Throughout, staying comfortably within their means remained important to Jacob and Jane. Eventually we did find the right home in the right neighborhood at the right price. We are closing today, a day after the Dow Jones average dropped 777 points. Life goes on.
Change: the only constant
The Greek philosopher Heraclitus proclaimed “panta rei” which means literally “everything flows.” An expanded version translates into “Nothing endures but change.”
Today, the Dow Jones average was up 485 points and tomorrow a family of six will get the keys to a house that may be home until all four or more children have left for college. Four years ago, with only one child in tow, the Jenkins moved to Seattle from the Midwest for a new job. We found a nice brick Tudor that reminded them of Chicago. They did not buy it with the idea “to cash in” later but with the desire to make it THEIR home.
The Jenkins family grew to six and even raised chickens in the backyard. They improved the home sensibly - for greater utility and their own comfort. Reaping the reward for it at the eventual sale of the home was considered a welcome outcome but not the primary motivation.
The new home, built in 1942, is much larger, has “good bones” but is in need of improvements. It was listed as being eclectic. We agreed, but given the deferred maintenance we dubbed it “The Neglectic.” In good time it will be a wonderful home.
So, business is good. Thanks to the people who have trusted me to help them with the inevitable: Change.
