1-28-26 Family, Sausages, and Saying Goodbye (Again)

Sterling and I spent this past week in Sweden visiting my family for one very big reason, my sister’s PhD defense. If you’ve never attended a European PhD defense, let me set expectations. There is no cap and gown moment. No polite applause and quick speeches. You are watching someone publicly defend years of work, in real time, with slides, science, and some very serious conversations about lignin. It was fascinating, intimidating, and honestly pretty inspiring.

When we arrived, my dad picked us up and dropped us at our hotel just down the street from his and my stepmom’s house. They have a small place, and I opted for a hotel with free breakfast. That decision deserves its own PhD defense. It was absolutely the right call.

After settling in, my dad scooped us back up and we met my brother Adam, who had arrived a week earlier and immediately headed to a sausage-making class. Jet lagged, exhausted, and mildly delirious, we powered through. Sterling fell asleep, I refused to quit, and we walked away with roughly six pounds of sausage each. My dad inherited all eighteen pounds, since TSA is not interested in my artisanal meat dreams.

The next day was fully focused on my sister. Sterling sat through most of the defense like a champ. There may have been a brief nap involved, but overall he held strong. Afterward, we gathered for the traditional celebration with family, including my 98-year-old grandmother, who remains one of the most impressive humans I know. She lives alone, takes care of herself, arranges her own transportation, stays up late, and then proceeded to beat all of us in a family favorite card game called Plump, which takes about an hour and a half to play. Goals.

Paradox Museum Adventures

We also squeezed in a visit to the Paradox Museum with my dad, Sterling, and me. It was interactive, weird, and resulted in some very fun photos that make your brain feel broken in the best way. While the weather was cold and bleak, the family time was warm and grounding. Leaving my dad is always hard. It feels like my whole life has been a series of goodbyes. The upside is knowing the next one is already planned, London in April.

I still worked during this trip, because old habits die hard, but after barely taking any time off over the holidays, it felt good to loosen the routine just a little and be more present.

Back to Work, Closings, and a Steady Colorado Foothills Market

Back home, it’s very much time to get back to work. I have a closing on Friday for one of my absolute favorite clients. We’ve worked together on about twelve transactions over the years, which is rare and special in real estate. There’s a rhythm that develops when you know how someone thinks, communicates, and makes decisions. Those relationships are why I love what I do, and why so many buyers and sellers in Evergreen, Conifer, Golden, and the surrounding foothills come back again and again.

I’m also navigating an inspection objection for one of my sellers, which is a very normal part of how to sell a home, especially in Colorado mountain markets. These moments are where experience matters. Knowing what to push on, what to negotiate, and what to calmly explain can make all the difference between a smooth closing and unnecessary stress.

When I reviewed the data this week, the real estate market in the Colorado foothills felt relatively flat compared to last week. Not bad, not booming, just steady. That kind of consistency is typical for this time of year. It also creates opportunity for buyers and sellers who are paying attention rather than waiting for headlines to tell them what to do.

With the Broncos officially out of Super Bowl contention, I fully expect showing activity and engagement to pick up again. It happens every year. Spring momentum starts quietly, then all at once.

Let’s Talk About Your Next Chapter

If you haven’t already, be sure to read January’s article, “The Transition Roadmap Part 1: The Science of the ‘Next Chapter’ Conversation.” February’s follow-up comes out next week and is titled “The Transition Roadmap Part 2: Listening to the House.” It’s especially relevant if you’re thinking about downsizing, selling a mountain home, or planning your next move in places like Evergreen, Conifer, Morrison, or Bailey.

As always, whether you’re moving to Colorado, selling a home, or just wondering what the current real estate market looks like in the foothills, I’m here to talk it through. Sometimes the next chapter starts quietly, with a trip, a conversation, or just a sense that it’s time to listen.