7-31-2025 From Airports to Playdates: The Return to Reality

We’re back. Back to work, back to routines, and for the kids, back to screens in their faces. I’ve been trying to line up as many playdates as possible to soften the landing, but it feels like every other family is still out of town. It’s like summer vacation got extended for everyone except us.

Our last few days in Madeira were beautiful and a little heartbreaking. Saying goodbye to my dad has never been easy, and age hasn’t made it any better. He’s a quiet man, usually reserved, but this visit, we had one of those rare, meaningful conversations that left me both reassured and emotional. I tucked it away in my mental “core memories” folder.

On the flip side, the joy was real, too. If I could go back and relive anything, it would be those cozy evenings in Madeira, sitting around the table playing Yahtzee or cards with my family. So many laughs, so much lightness. It was the kind of fun that makes you forget about time altogether.

The trip home, however, was its own saga. Our original flight was canceled, so we had to scramble. We went from Madeira to Lisbon, then Lisbon to Amsterdam. After a six-hour hotel nap in Amsterdam, we headed to Iceland, where we had an eight-hour layover. We thought about renting a car and exploring, but between the rain, chilly weather, and our lack of warm clothes, we opted to hunker down in a quiet lounge area at the airport. My travel tip for Iceland? Only go if you’ve got money to burn. The food and hotel prices were shockingly high, even for a quick stopover.

Eventually, we landed in Denver, tired and travel-worn. But something really sweet happened once we got home. One morning, Tag turned to me and asked if I wanted to do a guided gratitude meditation. My knee-jerk reaction was to say no. I usually like to hit the ground running as soon as I wake up. But I said yes, and I’m so glad I did. It grounded me in a way I didn’t know I needed. The whole day felt calmer, more intentional. I’ve done it every morning since. Sometimes it’s the small shifts that change everything.

Seminars, Slow Markets, and 15 Homes in 2 Days

Jet lag or not, I dove straight back into work. Adam and I hosted our “Right-Size Your Life” seminar at the Evergreen Library, and it was full of practical, eye-opening info. If you missed it, check your inbox for a link to the full recording in this week’s newsletter.

A few key takeaways really stood out. QR codes, for example, are now being used by scammers. That was news to a lot of us. Also, reverse mortgages have come a long way. The negative reputation stems from issues in the 1960s, but those problems were addressed in the 1980s. Now, for the right person, it can be a very smart financial tool.

I also finally got to meet Dawn, an estate sale specialist I’d heard great things about. She’s wonderful, and I know she’s going to be a valuable resource for so many of my clients. All of the panelists were impressive and generous with their knowledge. It was one of those events where you could feel the room getting more confident and informed by the minute.

As for the market, it’s still moving, just not quickly. We’re in that post-July lull. Showing activity has dipped, and even with price reductions, homes aren’t flying off the shelves. Inventory has held fairly steady, and while it’s higher than last year, the gap is slowly closing.

Buyers are still out there, though. I spent Friday and Saturday with a fantastic couple who flew in from out of state. We saw fifteen homes in two days, ranging from multi-unit investments to cozy single-family homes. I’m even heading out tonight to preview one that recently came back on the market.

When people ask when the fall market picks up, the answer isn’t simple. There’s a popular belief that activity surges after school starts, but the data just doesn’t support a reliable pattern. Most residential agents will tell you this season is more like a slow shuffle than a full-on dance. Things happen, but not always in the rhythm you expect.

The key right now is flexibility. Sellers need to be patient and ready to make price adjustments. Buyers are taking longer, scheduling second and even third showings before making decisions. The market is steady but cautious, and the strategies that worked last year might not apply in the same way this time around.

So if you’re navigating this season, stay grounded and stay realistic. Some years follow a script. This one’s more improvisational.