THANKFUL

Sarah and I have had a busy year, and we're incredibly grateful for it. With an abundance of work, we've kept ourselves and our team busy throughout the year thanks to your support. After months of non-stop activity, we're finally wrapping up the last of our listings, while simultaneously laying the groundwork for next year's business. Between now and then, there will be toffee to deliver, meals to prepare, pies to bake, and families to cherish. We hope you'll be able to gather your friends and loved ones close to enjoy the holiday.

If you are thinking of selling in the new year, you should already be in touch with your Realtor®. Painters, handymen, and stagers book months in advance and before you know it, you'll find yourself in a queue, waiting your turn. As the work to bring most houses to market involves a host of moving parts, requiring weeks if not months to accomplish, the sooner we calendar those events, the better off you'll be.

This week, I met with a couple who are still a few years away from selling, but wanted to know what issues they should be addressing NOW in preparation for an eventual downsize. (Smart.) To be clear, they take excellent care of their home, but like all houses, there are a few things to consider that should prove savvy investments come time to sell, including remediating their knob & tube wiring. (Insurance is getting tougher and tougher to acquire with knob & tube in place.)

While this improvement isn't sexy, if the Buyer has to pick up the cost, they'll factor that into the purchase price, or worse yet, pass on purchasing the house. Having shared a story from their neighbor who just lost two sets of Buyers due to their inability to obtain reasonably-priced insurance, they understand what's at stake.

Given that their home is truly extraordinary, removing this hurdle is absolutely the correct move. In fact, they were well ahead of the game, and had already obtained three electrical bids to replace the wiring. (Please be sure to remove the old knob & tube once replaced.) I merely confirmed what they already suspected: insurance - not interest rates - are currently the biggest impediment to home ownership. (It all adds up to affordability) Of course, more inventory wouldn't hurt.

My point being that we love it when clients call on us for such advice, or for referrals, or to reassess value, or just to touch base over tea. (We'll bring the cookies.) Sarah and I pride ourselves on being here before, during and after the escrow period has come and gone, and who knows the community better than your local Realtor? (No one.) Part negotiator, part connector, part designer, part visionary, part transformer, and part therapist, we cover a wide range of skill sets, so use us; we're in the business of solutions. And with our 2025 sales now put to bed, we've actually got time to explore your possibilities.

In the meantime, we wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving. Stay safe and warm.

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