We are just coming off of what turned out to be a very busy December. There were lots of changes, of course, with the new Federal tax bill, but it was--and still is--very unclear as to whether some things should have been done last year, or will be more advantageous to do in 2018, Nowhere is that more true than in the real estate realm.
So, while uncertainty generally slows a process down, last month it sped up. When I tried to think of why that would be, I realized that the end of a calendar year is a powerful and motivating deadline. All sorts of people rush to finish projects and clear off their to-do lists before a year ends. This year, despite all the potential changes, was no different, and even busier.
It made me conscious of the fact that the real estate market has been slowed down by people feeling that there was no pressure to make decisions. Instead, they thought that properties would continue to be available, maybe even for less, into the foreseeable future. Our job as agents was to try to create urgency. That was often hard.
Therefore, our hope for next year is that all potential and current clients have a self-imposed deadline of some sort. Whether their hope is to move, sell, or redeploy assets, everyone needs a finish line to cross. Uncertainty can be problematic, but, if it lasts too long, more is lost by waiting than by simply moving on.
Greater New Haven, or Connecticut as a whole, residential, commercial, or investment, buy, sell, or rent--all are choices. Just make one, and you will feel accomplished and relieved.
