Christmas time is here, naughty and nice lists are set, congratulations or be better next time (however it shook out for you this year). Hoping to find myself as a 25 time nice list member (Fingers Crossed). Depending where in the world you stay at Christmas can come in all different shapes and sizes. Here on the island the weather is still immaculate, I am not sure one should legally complain about 85 degrees every day. You notice that Christmas time is here by both the radio in the car and if you cruise down Ali’i Drive after sun down. You’ll see the lights strung up on the palm trees as well as on the roofs of various buildings and businesses. I myself am fortunate enough to get to go back to my native land, Nebraska aka the Corn Coast, for Christmas this year. Believe it or not the forecast in Nebraska for my time there is not 85 and sunny… Who would’ve thought.
I don’t have too much to offer in regards to real estate news, as not too much has changed. Seemingly the middle market, the one most effected by interest rates, is pretty slow right now. I have noticed a lot of inventory lasting over 3 months. I dont have an exact measure on why this is but I can double down on the precedent that Kona Town is a little slow by my nights working at the restaurant being slow as well. Maybe there are less people traveling or more people sitting on their money. Heck maybe even both. Whatever the case may be I am interested to see when the market moves again. History would say this case scenario is not an “if” but rather a “when”. Basic economics: bull markets and bear market blah blah blah, you get it.
As I sat and really thought about what to share with you this Christmas season one thing came to mind. That is the importance of ones HOME. Not all houses, apartments, or condos are homes for everyone. Most of the time its the people and things inside that make these a home. I encourage you to take a moment this season to be grateful for what you have. For example, my little 460 square foot unit I rent here in Kona is nothing immaculate, but it is mine and thats pretty darn neat. I even went and bought a little 3 foot pre-lit Christmas tree (really packs quite the ambiance in such a small tree and may be the best $60 I have spent this year!). If you do have somewhere to call home this year hold your loved ones a little tighter, stay with them a little longer, and laugh with them a little louder.
The Holiday season brings up vast emotions both good and bad for people, so be nice. Ask the check out clerk how their day is, and when I say ask I mean really ask and actually listen to them. Ask their name, try to make them smile. Make a little game out of it.
Lastly Merry Christmas to you all. Wishing you and you families a multitude of blessings this season. Catch ya next year!