The Uncontrolled Variable: Time

Time is the constraint we cannot control

This week my darling dog had to have emergency surgery. The surgery was successful, but it was the result of scar tissue from a previous surgery (eating a tennis ball) that wound around other organs and cut off circulation. I am so thankful for the veterinary team and am so happy to still have my sweet boy resting by my side as I write this. 

They called me mid-surgery to explain the scarring and that it will most likely happen again. And then the question ‘Knowing this, would you like us to continue?’ The answer was yes. 

It had me thinking about the stark contrasts of living with a dog who may live a long and happy life. He may not. Time is borrowed. Time was bought with a vet bill. And now we move forward realizing how precious time together really is.

 For many of us, we move forward in life doing the things we do, knowing that time with the ones we love can disappear at any moment. But then we have these moments that put it all into perspective. I don’t wish them on anyone.

The derp derp himself, Frank.

And somehow it had me thinking about real estate. So many clients tell me ‘I don’t want to make an emotional decision.’ And so we do analysis and all kinds of data is pulled. We talk the grossly oversimplified metric of price per square foot. We ask about low-balling offers based on days on market. Home inspection reports are pulled apart. More and more clients run contracts, home inspections, and so on through ChatGPT. I may be biased, but ChatGPT doesn’t understand physically being in a space. And the analysis paralysis continues. And time is spent and no decision is made. Time marches on. 

Here is the truth that few people talk about: most decisions are made with emotion. Even the best investors in the world, with all their financial models, still often make decisions based on emotion. So get emotional. Because time with others or time spent living your dream is often the cost of not being emotional when it comes to real estate.

Some of the hardest calls I get are the people who say they wish they had bought 20 years ago. And they didn’t. They missed out on an investment, sure. But what they really missed out on is memories made with their families. Or living out their dream.

So, if you are thinking about a part-time mountain escape or moving full-time to the mountains, be curious about your motivation and what you want out of a home. Is it a quieter pace of life? Is it trails out your door? Is it a sweet community of neighbors or acreage and solitude? Is it about playing in the snow all day and early big dinners with family and friends before you do it all over again tomorrow? 

Also, get real about your budget, maintenance costs etc. Being emotional doesn’t mean throwing reason to the side. Luck is what happens when preparation and opportunity meet. Your dream home will not fall into your lap. But if a place speaks to you, listen to that. Tune into your gut and your intuition. And be ready to move forward. The cost of waiting and reasoning for years could be far higher than interest rates or paying for a new water heater in that home you love.

Dreaming of this? Don't Wait! Interior Design by Helen Lummis.