Happy New Year! We hope all of you were able to enjoy a slower pace over the holidays and are well rested and energized for a brighter New Year ahead.
As we celebrate 2021’s arrival, I want to take a moment to reflect on this past year. None of us could have predicted the changes that the pandemic thrust upon all aspects of our lives. Most of us were not prepared for what we’ve experienced in our personal and professional lives, but I hope, through our perseverance, we are all better for it in some way.
For us at Island Living Homes, it allowed our ohana the opportunity to slow down, enjoy more family time and really appreciate the small things in life. We had to pivot in the first shutdown and adapt to a more virtual platform. For the first time, we held team meetings and client orientations on Zoom. We no longer drove clients through neighborhoods for hours in our cars. We adapted to new protocols for showing homes and interacting with home buyers and sellers. Through it all, I’m proud to report that we were still able to accomplish the same rewarding end result of successfully guiding our clients through the home buying and selling process - just by embracing technology, utilizing Zoom, FaceTime and 3D tours, and always remaining flexible.
With the virtual technology forced upon us, it provided me personally the unique opportunity to homeschool and work from the road in an RV on the mainland, as my family trekked through 6 states and 12 national parks in the fall. Countless positive family memories were created that never would have been had it not been for the pandemic, and all the while I was able to stay closely connected to clients and agents. Absolutely one of the silver linings we were able to find during a roller coaster year.
For many of us, 2020 brought a deeper perspective on what “home” means. We decluttered, embraced “less is more,” redecorated and found that outdoor space and home offices are more important than ever before. Some of us decided it was time to make big moves, relocate to be closer to family, downsize...or upsize. Through all the changes and uncertainty that the pandemic has presented, housing was fortunately one of the few markets that has consistently remained strong through it all, and all indications are it will continue to do so into 2021 and beyond. Demand for homes on our beautiful island remain strong and interest rates are projected to remain at historical lows
So, what does this mean for you? If you’ve been contemplating a move, now is a great time to sell with lower inventories on-island continuing to drive multiple offers and higher sales prices. If you plan on keeping your island home, refinancing remains a smart move to save yourself hundreds of dollars a month. And in spite of the uptick in home prices, low interest rates continue to make purchasing a new home or investment property a great move for the long term.
Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, upsizing or downsizing, or even have questions about the pros/cons of renovating your home, we’re always here to talk you through the process and about how homeownership fits into your overall financial portfolio. We always love hearing from you! Also, a huge Mahalo to all of you who referred your friends and family to our ILH ohana this year. Your continued support means the world to us.
Cheers to a healthy and prosperous New Year for all!
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