Dad Tax!

The trick or treating will be in full force tonight as the kids go out in our communities and see just how full they can fill their bags/pillow cases/wagons! And of course, as the ritual would have it, dads everywhere will be swooping in and laying their claim to a decent portion of the haul.

Dad Tax!

Let’s be clear, the dad tax is applicable in all jurisdictions throughout the year. It often shows up driving in the car with a dad hand sliding between the front seats when our kids have something sweet in the back. However, I’d be willing to lay money on the line that the tax rate goes up substantially every Oct 31st (and likely for days & weeks to come).

I lay claim to a variety of candy – Reeses PB cups, Reeses Pieces, M&M’s, among others and of course my all-time favourite, ROCKETS!

I’m not a big Hallowe’en guy, and don’t love getting dressed up. But the candy & chips part of the night, that’s something I can support!

May all the kids heading out this evening have fun and be safe!

And to all those dads out there, enjoy the most profitable Dad Tax day of the year!

PS – if you have an over abundance of Rockets, you know who to call!

Exams.

They are one of those things that we all go through at some point or another, but I haven’t met too many people that actually enjoy them. Everyone approaches them differently, but in the end, they are one of the few ways to really gauge how well someone understands subject matter.

I think we all hope that at some point we will have written our last one, but we never really know. I’ve written dozens over the years, and it doesn’t really matter when it’s been, there’s a different set of nerves that kick in right before I walk through that door.

A week ago, it was no different.

I was prepared. I knew the course material. I was pretty confident that I was going to do well. And still, those nerves were still there, just like they always are.

I’m happy to report that I PASSED! The successful completion of the next level of my Commercial Real Estate designation is finished!

I have spent countless hours understanding the unique ways in which Commercial real estate works. There’s a large variety of different properties and businesses, and also rules, regulations, and complex contract details to understand when you embark upon a commercial transaction.

Having an agent on your side that can explain and calculate Capitalisation Rates, Time Value of Money, Rates of Investment Returns, Amortization Schedules, Debt Service Coverages, Lending Values, etc, is a very good thing. They are all important details, depending on the type of purchase or sale, and your short & long-term real estate goals.

So, if you’ve been contemplating a commercial real estate investment or sale, give me a call. Not only is that a large part of what I do, I also have the knowledge and credentials to lean on to provide you with great advice and guidance.

I wish I could tell you that was my last exam, but I know it wasn’t.

There’s always more to learn.

The gym.

Huh? It’s not January 1st, why are we talking about the gym?!

I’m like most people out there, I’ll admit. At the beginning of every year, I have talked about going to the gym for years, and here we are in my mid-40s, and darn it, I finally did it (well, starting in February, but shhh!)

Going on 8 months strong, I’ve been making the time for myself to get stronger & healthier. It’s better for myself, for my wife, for my kids – for not only my body, but also my mind.

When I first walked in that gym, I was nervous. I had never done it before. I was a little overwhelmed, even though I’d say I had a general knowledge of what I might do. I mean, how hard can it be?

Well, let’s just say, hiring a personal trainer guide me through the ins and outs was the best decision to make by far! He’s attentive to what I need individually, provides me specific exercises and weight loads to get me the best results, and ensures that I don’t hurt myself as we go through the program.

Pretty important, right?

Guess what? The expertise my personal trainer provides me at the gym, is very similar to the expertise I strive to provide my clients in real estate! Working with you individually to provide you a tailored solution to get the best results we can when buying or selling a home, and do it as pain free as possible!

So… if you’re looking to start going to the gym, give my buddy Devon @431strengthsquadron a call! You’ll be blown away for his amazing attitude and caring approach to being healthy and strong. It’s been a blast and can’t wait to keep it going!

And…if you’re thinking about buying or selling your home, and would like some personalized advice to make it happen, give me a call - I’d love to help you out.

AI.

It’s all around us, even if we don’t even realize it. It’s an incredible tool, and there are plenty of ways to have it infiltrate our personal and business lives, I believe, mostly for the better.

Artificial Intelligence.

A few years back, it was an idea that had been spoken about, that we knew would eventually find its way into the world. All of a sudden, 18 or so months ago, it blew up! Within weeks of the first Chat GPT, there were many followers, and it hasn’t stopped.

In real estate, there are plenty of ways that we can use AI. We can automate processes, we can digitally stage homes in photos, we can use it to find stats and information quickly. It could even write this blog for me in mere seconds.

It is a great tool – and that’s what it is, a tool. When I look at what I offer to those I’m fortunate to work with, I look to integrate it and be more efficient, but I don’t want to lose sight of what I’m really striving for.

AE.

It is something that I think we can all appreciate when we receive it. To me, it’s a differentiator and it drives me personally to come back and do business with that person again in the future.

Authentic Experience.

I do my best to be truly myself – someone with many years of professional experience to offer, someone who has bought and sold a number of homes and truly understands the process, someone who has a quirky sense of humour at times, and enjoys keeping the experience light and fun when appropriate.

There’s plenty of technology out there and it’s a great way to save some time and implement some new ideas easier than it was before. But it doesn’t do everything for us.

I personally answer my phone, I personally reply to my texts and emails. I have made the conscious decision to type out this blog for you guys every week, so you can read my thoughts and insights.

There is no doubt that AI is here to stay.

The great news is that for my clients, so is AE.