In this festive season of sipping and chatting, shopping and wrapping, giving and getting, I am always well-advised to slow it down a bit and look at all the good things life has brought me. Life itself is a gift, and when I stop and look, life is full of other gifts.
That said, there’s always something more to wish for.
Gifts received …
My Peeps The relationships in your life are the substance that makes the rest of it make sense. I love my family and friends who support me, feed me, buy me drinks, and make me laugh. I love my clients – so many of whom appreciate my services, say please and thank you, become my friends, and earn me a good living in the process. And I love my crew at Onward Real Estate. I simply could not have landed in a better spot – great friendships, great professional support, and laughs a plenty.
An Arrival On March 21st, Cordell Harding Paine arrived here on the planet – son of William and Kristin, my son and daughter-in-law, and baby brother to Ruthie. Happy parents, grandparents, great aunts, and a host of cousins and friends. Joy all round!
Boom Town I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, we live in exciting times here in Nashville! I came here 49 years ago, to a sleepy, backward, medium-sized city without much going for it. But in recent years, we have stepped into the spotlight as a city of consequence (bachelorettes aside) and I love it! Growth and opportunity abound all around us! Another gift!
Interest Rate Relief While 7%+ is, historically speaking, a decent mortgage rate, there has been a lot of angst among buyers (and sellers) who long for the never-to-return days of 3%. Angst also, among those priced out of the market by real estate price inflation. Down to the low 6% range, and perhaps to dip into the high 5s, mortgage rates these days are friendlier, and that’s a gift for everybody.
A few gifts I’m still waiting for …
A little sanity in Washington I’ll go ahead and say it: we need a break from the looney tunes stuff! Tariffs, no tariffs, maybe tariffs. Conspiracy theory of the week. Masked men in unmarked cars yanking people off the streets. Giving the finger to our closest allies. Epstein all day, every day. Enough! Let’s give ourselves a break!
Less hate, more love! Seriously! We, as a nation and as individuals, need to simmer down! The current level of angry rhetoric and divisiveness in this country is unsustainable. People abusing waiters and flight attendants. Politicians demonizing and name-calling anyone they disagree with. Book banning and burning. It’s at a level I’ve never seen before. We must embrace our common humanity and work together despite disagreements. Or we will lose everything. The effort begins with me. And you. So, I ask you to give it a try. I’m with you on this.