Principal and Interest Vol.7
Principal
Apologies for the delay folks. This has been a longer break than I’d like for these posts, but the reason for the break is also the focus of this Principal section.
The reason being… the market was busy! January and February followed the trend of a pre-spring market, with increased activity compared to historical data. That being said, this increase wasn’t felt across the whole market. But between a few new listings and some closings, there was lots to do.
Now, as we approach the end of March, things have shifted. The economic landscape and overall sentiment, influenced by activity south of the border, have taken a noticeable downturn. People are holding onto their wallets a little tighter now than they have in the past, and honestly, I can’t blame them. With all this uncertainty the idea of spending hard-earned savings on one asset may not appeal to everyone.
My thoughts on the current economic landscape as it relates to real estate are this; if you have the means, it’s a great time to buy. Rates are down, listings are plentiful, and competition is not nearly as fierce. If you can make the move you want while staying in a comfortable situation, this could be the opportunity you were looking for. The follow up to that is if you aren’t in that position, it never hurts to be cautious in times of unpredictability.
Now onto lighter topics…
Interest
So much has happened since I last wrote one of these, and although it feels like a while ago, I think one of the biggest events was the 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament was incredible, especially compared to an NHL All-Star Weekend. The things like the players' commitment, political tensions, and exciting gameplay made it one of my favorite hockey-watching experiences. Watching McDavid bury that OT winner from Marner will be a memory I have forever. Crazy that even when the tournament technically means nothing, best on best hockey for your country seemingly means everything.
Recommendations:
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes. Finally finished the book and was blown away. Obviously not a light read in both subject matter and the page count, but if you’re up for it, it is well worth the read. I’m onto The Road by Cormac McCarthy, not the most uplifting book so far but McCarthy’s ability to describe setting and convey tone is amazing. Will report back when done.
Golf:
As you may know, I’m a fan of almost all things golf (some notable exceptions). So with the Masters and golf season coming up I’m sure to have a lot more to talk about on the topic. Until then I will leave you with this; it’s Rory’s year!