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As I continue to digest my non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner (lamb chops) in a very non-traditional year (2020, the year of Coronavirus), I am going to do something non-traditional (at least for me). I am going to publicly declare why I am thankful this holiday season.
I am thankful for my life partner. She brings sunshine to my days, keeps me on my toes and is the very reason I have feelings of being loved and giving love. Through creative cooking (lasagna, soft pretzels, incredible stir fry and borscht), long walks (both day and night) through the peaceful Pinecrest streets, philosophical discussions about some of the most interesting topics and just our quiet times together, there is no one better with whom I could ride out the Covid-19 morass.
I am thankful for my parents. It is more than 30 years since we last regularly sat at the dining room table together, but that changed this year. My parents (who are usually only here during the winter months) never left this year and have been my guest at dinner for almost every meal since the pandemic started. Originally, I thought it would be an extended two-week dinner party, but it turned into a life-changing adventure. I’ve laughed with them, argued with them, entertained them (and been entertained) and reconnected with my days of youth, except in reverse with me doing the cooking for mom. Even while washing the endless dishes, it is a blessing to have them in my home. It is even better after meals when we play cards and do jigsaw puzzles.
I am thankful for visits from my almost-grown kids. My 18-year old son (who lives with his mom) has made a point of trying to venture out to see me more often. He has persevered (successfully) through cancer remission and is starting to come into his own awareness of his true strengths. His big squeezing hand-holding gets me warm and sappy every time. I just dropped my 21-year old daughter at the airport after a two-week visit from Georgia.
She has blossomed into a wonderful artistic personality who is starting to handle the young adult pressures in a more seasoned way. In both cases, it is not necessarily about doing something with them. It is about knowing you are under the same roof and can call out their name and get a (non-digital) response. I am also thankful for my life partner’s kids.
They have accepted me and become part of my family. Whenever they are around, there is reason to be thankful.
I am thankful for my customers. Most of my waking hours are dedicated to finding homes for families. Each transaction starts with a dream and ends with a miracle. There are so many twists and turns to real estate success, but I realize this is more than a business to those I work with. It is a privilege to do what I do. The thankfulness is also felt in working with some fantastic partners. To my inspectors, lenders, appraisers, contractors, handypersons and title companies, I raise a glass and say cheers to making our clients cheer.
I am thankful for low interest rates! As a Realtor, I and most of my colleagues tightened our belts for what we all thought would be a very bumpy ride in residential real estate. Sure, people were (and still are to varying degrees) very concerned about showing and seeing homes, but the power of nearly free money (sub-3 percent interest rates in many cases!) helped the market overcome unprecedented adversity. To this day, we continue to see a boom in activity and pricing.
2020 may not be the best of times, but I am thankful. I am also hopeful. We will see change in our government, we will see a vaccine, we will continue to see random acts of kindness in a world that desperately needs that.
Whatever holidays you celebrate, may they be bright and hopeful. With thanks, I ask you to look within and find your thankfulness. I look forward to just one more column in 2020. As usual, it will highlight the goodness in South Florida. Until then… THANK YOU!
Real Estate Update
As of November 28, the Pinecrest, Coral Gables, Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay markets are all sellers’ markets. Pinecrest has just 5.6 months of inventory. Historically low interest rates, coupled with lower inventory equals a good opportunity to sell! If you’re ready to move, get the best local expertise, truthful guidance and realistic expectations. It’s easy to get started at miamihal.com/getstarted.
Hal Feldman (MiamiHal) is a Realtor with RE/MAX Advance Realty. You can contact him with your story ideas or real estate questions at www.MiamiHal.com, Hal@MiamiHal.com or www.facebook.com/MiamiHal.
