Last week, I was asked “what has made this year different than other years?” At first response, I thought about the interest rates and inventory. But truly, this year, more than others, 2014 opened up something special: Opportunity for a Change. I have a theory that the long (long) winter had something to do with this. That we all thawed out in May and decided we’ve had enough. Enough of the weather, that living room, the empty house, this northern state. This was more than the usual result of cabin fever. There was more resolve from my clients this year to act on a wish, a dream, something they have wanted to do for a while. Did it help that the market was stronger? Of course. In previous markets, the bottom line numbers just did not work well enough for my clients to buy or sell. Even so, the moves this year were less about the money. They were more about taking a chance on a new job. A change of scenery (usually south!). They were about not wanting to spend another Fall raking leaves or a winter shoveling snow off the roof. It was realizing that life would just be better in new surroundings. It was about finally owning a home for your family and getting back on your feet after 5 years. I think about all of these clients and their ‘stories’ and literally get goose bumps when I think about what they accomplished to make this happen! I have said this before, but we really feel blessed that we are called upon as friends first, then as Realtors, to help through these changes. You can relate, can’t you? You spend all weekend deciding to do something and can’t wait to learn if it is possible. This is what many of our clients did this year. They had an idea in mind and after months of dreaming, called us to see if the plan would work. Is their home something that could sell? What time frame? Is there really a place they can buy that fits what they dreamed? And if everything works out, what needs to happen now? Oh it is such an honor to be part of this process! And fun! 2014 market stats have been amazing. You saw the sold signs fly up quickly in your neighborhoods. But what the stats don’t show is that 2014 allowed buyers and sellers to rethink home and again prove the saying “Home is where the heart is.”
