Jim Valentine on Real Estate
It’s that time of year again when the collective conscience of the nation is essentially focused on thanks. The Thanksgiving holiday is more than a few days off work and out of school, it is a time to overindulge in eating while being thankful for the opportunity to do so … and more.
For most it is a time for reflection as they ponder their thanks. Sometimes it is a personal circumstance, a victory, an achievement, or simply overall happiness. Others are thankful for external things such as friends, family, their job, etc. For all, it is a special time of gratitude.
From a Northern Nevada Realtor’s perspective there is much to be thankful for this year. Interest rates remained low allowing many to buy more home in a very competitive market, or to refinance their existing low to lower their payments substantially. We don’t know how long rates will remain low, but we are thankful that so many have had the opportunity to benefit from them.
The housing market took off this year both in values and volume. It started strong and then accelerated to a veritable shark feeding frenzy in many market segments. Sellers benefited greatly with pricing they could only have dreamed about just a couple of months before they entered and enjoyed the market.
Buyers, too, benefited. As frustrating as the rising pricing was to buyers, they were happy to achieve their objective when they were able to buy a home of their choosing. Many were relocating to enjoy our lifestyle and were willing to pay a premium to do so.
We saw a tremendous effort from our First Responders in Northern Nevada with the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic and then the “Great Smoke Out of 2021,” unprecedented in modern times. We went weeks without seeing our mountains, had our lives disrupted due to health and safety issues due to the heavy smoke. Thanks to heroic efforts of our First Responders the property loss and personal injuries were kept to an unbelievably minimal level. It isn’t to those that were personally affected, but things could have been much worse on a broader scale.
We are very thankful that people are still nice in Northern Nevada. They say “hi” to you because you are a human being looking at them, they let you go first at a four-way stop, they care about their neighbor and give help when needed, most of our legislators still work towards Nevada values when they are in session, and more. We are thankful that our supply chains are seemingly intact as our stores are well stocked and staffed with their own COVID 19 frontline heroes. Few shortages other than when a few folks decide to hoard. If you have enough of something think of your neighbor and be thankful you can leave something on the shelf for them.
Despite the bumps created by political jousting, we are thankful to live in this great country of ours where we can express ourselves, move freely (sometimes with a mask on, but that is another subject) about, own real estate, and gather for entertainment or a purpose. Don’t take it for granted or get complacent about it, be thankful that you live here and have your constitutional rights protected.
Always live with an attitude of gratitude. It assuages your mind, reduces your stress, and guides you toward your personal goals and visions in a comfortable manner. Enjoy your time with your family and/or friends this time of year and remind them how thankful you are that they are in, and a part of, your life.
Thanksgiving is more than a kickoff to the Christmas/New Year holiday season. It is a time to conscientiously enjoy the many wonderful things you have in your life including your very life itself. Not all are so lucky so be thankful.
When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com
