Citizen Scientist!

Like many of you, I was intrigued by the recent eclipse. So when an unexpected invitation arrived from old friends who own a BIG house on a pretty little river in McCall, Idaho, suggesting we join them for the viewing, I couldn't pass it up. (Unfortunately, Cliff had to stay behind to teach at Bolt.)

Unlike my GRUBB Co. colleague, Mavis, who had been planning her trip up north for months, my scientific interest had been merely peripheral as in: "Oh, an eclipse? Why not?"  However, my hostess, Cindy, was totally into it; so much so that she registered online as a "NASA Global Citizen Scientist." (Even the title sounds cool.)  ​

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Unlike my GRUBB Co. colleague, Mavis, who had been planning her trip up north for months, my scientific interest had been merely peripheral as in: "Oh, an eclipse? Why not?"  However, my hostess, Cindy, was totally into it; so much so that she registered online as a "NASA Global Citizen Scientist." (Even the title sounds cool.)  

Like thousands of other amateur explorers, Cindy was measuring the temperature as the event occurred, and doggedly logging on, while I cheerfully poked fun at the process and gave her a hard time . . . (OR what are friends for?)

"I think your findings are suspect," I teased. "There's definitely going to be an asterisk by your report when I notify NASA that the thermometer keeps moving from place to place . . . ." (That's probably the last invitation I'll ever receive from the Dillions.)

While the sky never got as dark as I anticipated, the temperature DID, in fact, drop precipitously and took several hours to heat back up, reminding us all just how important the sun is to our very survival. (It got cold fast.) And while I threw on my sweatshirt to offset the new chill in the air, there was Cindy, along with thousands of others, diligently doing their best to add to the body of information and knowledge.

It occurs to me that the mass proliferation of Real Estate web sites during the past several years, have created their own group of "Citizen Agents,"each adding to the conversation (correctly or incorrectly as the case may be). Hobbyists by nature, these people follow Real Estate, but don't actually practice Real Estate. As "Citizen Agents," they have a glimpse of what's going on, but aren't quite seeing the full picture. (They're keen, but they're not in the path of totality.) 

So here are a few truisms to keep in mind as you chart your course, no matter the star date, no matter where you view the night sky.

 - Agents don't set the value of a home; a willing and able Buyer does.

 - The market is driven by "supply & demand."

 - What's of high value to you may have NO value to someone else. 

 - No one knows where the market will sit a year from now. 

 - Whatever you think the costs are to remodel, add another 50% (at least).

 - Homes are not static in nature. There will be costs to maintain your property   (no matter how much you paid)!

 - It's not about the cost of purchasing, it's about the cost of carrying your                investment (principal, interest, taxes & insurance). Only a small percentage of      homes will actually be paid off in full.  The "affordability index" is what should        inform your decision to buy - not a set number. 

 - Location, location, LOCATION! (This old adage remains true as ever; however,    there are "emerging" locations that are worth paying attention to.)

 - No matter the budget, there will be compromises . . . count on it. 

 - Real Estate is a local game - not a national one - work with a local Agent if you    want the inside scoop and benefits. 

Home sales are like the  eclipse: depending on where you stood, your experience was dramatically different than sungazers in other states (or even those a few miles away). For example, while I was in Idaho under crystal clear skies with an unobstructed view, the Bay Area was shrouded in fog. (I'm sorry for you because it was pretty darn AMAZING!) Get my point? 

Your buying or selling journey, whatever it is, is going to be utterly unique to you!

So give me a call and I'll give you the local knowledge I've gained over almost 30 years of buying and selling Real Estate on both sides of the Bay. Together, we will successfully navigate the dark and bring the landscape into focus. 

Oh, and send me your eclipse stories as well. I'd love to read them, and thankfully, I still can, as Cindy also found us viewing glasses, even though they were SOLD OUT on Amazon. "Citizen Scientist" and "Super Ophthalmologist!" Whatever the title, Cindy's always a woman on a mission. Are you listening, NASA? 

How can I help you?

Check out my Instagram at: piedmontrealtorgirl