Well…you would think with being in the middle of a lockdown and pandemic one would have more time to write and reflect on things. It’s hard to imagine that it’s been several months since I wrote on this blog!! The good news is, I have been working and keeping rather busy. The bad news is not having social activities and places to go have made me less inclined to write. Anytime I thought about writing, I wanted to rant about something related to lockdowns or masks or government over reach. So I refrained. Those of you who know me personally will know how hard this was for me. 😉

Now it is a new year, and I know many of us are hoping to see the end of the crisis COVID 19 brought us. At this writing a couple of vaccines have been made available and people are starting to take them. I pray that like the flu, this becomes the norm for COVID 19. While we may not dodge getting it completely, the vaccines will help mitigate the severity.

Luckily, real estate has been busy and constant for me. I have three homes closing this month, so starting off the year on a strong note! I suppose no matter what the world dishes out, we all still need a place to live and as our lives evolve, the kind of home we may need can change! The pandemic has also made work at home a thing that is normal for many so the home office or virtual classroom have become more important to home owners/buyers.

Mike and I had an open loft area in our villa which was basically unused space. It looked great – there were bookcases and a couch up there…theoretically a reading area. But we never used it because it was open to the great room below. We enclosed it in late 2018 – before the pandemic – thinking it could double as an extra sleeping area as well as more private office. Now it is Mike’s permanent office space. Who knew?! These are the kinds of things that buyers and sellers are looking for in new homes.

Another great plus for me on the real estate front is a partnership with one of the best agents in the office! Carla Borgard asked me to assist her in her business at the end of last year. While I still keep my own independent business with Mike as a partner (Pappas Properties), I am helping and learning from a real estate master! Ironically, when I first got my license, helping Carla at an open house was one of the first things I did!! She and I worked together on the sale of a high end property in 2016 as well. So 2021 will be a year of partnership that will keep me busy!

As we kick off the New Year, I pray all of you have a wonderful 2021 with health foremost, happiness and lots of travel! And as always, if you or any of your friends or family have a real estate need – don’t hesitate to reach out!