The Power of Smelly Scenes
Hi Friends,
I’m excited to build something in real time that is an invitation to myself and to anyone who joins in to create meaningful lives - both in our present experience and in the legacies that we will one day leave behind.
Each email consists of three short sections:
Life is about stuff that’s interesting to me, including occasional family updates.
Legacy is about thoughts or ideas that inspire and challenge.
Properties will cover something real estate related, as my primary job continues to be helping people buy and sell homes across the Denver metro.
See where I came up with the clever business name? Life. Legacy. Properties.
I’d be honored if you hang with me and participate in the journey.
- Kevin
Life
This week, my family and I visited Crestone, Colorado for a couple of days. The 3 1/2 hour drive from Denver was full of snacks, screen time, and “put-the-screens-away-and-look-outside-and-enjoy-the-scenery” time.
While here, the boys led us on a hike to look for Bigfoot, we saw alligators, played Jenga, made special snacks, and enjoyed the new animated movie Leo (surprisingly good, by the way).
We aren’t traveling for Christmas this year, so this trip was our special getaway.
Legacy
My wife has this thing about making scenes.
She knows how to take an everyday moment and add a little something special. Here’s a recent example she shared on her Instagram.
I love the little moments baking brings with my boys.
One thing I intentionally do EVERY TIME I bake with them is…
I have them smell the bottle of vanilla and say, "I love spending this time with you.”
As smell is processed, neurons are passed along to different parts of the brain, including memory.
I hope and pray these little moments build into them how much I delight in them. And through out the years as they smell vanilla, they'll be reminded of how much I love them💙.
I recently experienced this sensation when I switched bodywash from my normal Old Spice to Irish Spring. The moment I opened the bottle I was transported in my mind back to my grandparents’ home because my grandpa always used Irish Spring soap (though he was an “old rag and a dirty bar of soap” kind of guy. No body wash for him).
If my sons one day smell vanilla and experience similar flashbacks to memories of baking with mom and feeling her love and joy, that’s a win in my book.
Questions:
What did your childhood smell like?
What could you smell right now that would instantly transport you back 20, 30, 40 years to a time and place with special memories?
Is there a way to intentionally build the power of scent into your personal or family traditions?
Feel free to email me your answers!
Properties
Fed Chairman Jerome Powell finally brought smiles to the faces of many Americans at his most recent press conference - particularly with these words,
“we believe that our policy rate is likely at or near its peak for this tightening cycle…
…the question of when will it become appropriate to begin dialing back the amount of policy restraint in place, that begins to come into view, and is clearly a topic of discussion out in the world and also a discussion for us at our meeting today.”
Powell has wanted to see inflation slow down dramatically, and he finally seems happy with what he’s seeing. Consequently, it seems possible (probable?) that rates will begin to drop in 2024.
The mortgage industry responded by dropping rates quickly and significantly, ultimately heading into last weekend at 6.64%.
In housing terms, this means that the monthly principle and interest payment on a $600,000 home (30-year mortgage, 10% downpayment) just dropped by $510/mo since October highs.
$3,973/mo - Oct @ 8.03%
$3,463/mo - Dec @ 6.64%
These rates remain considerably higher than the 2.5%-3.5% rates common during 2020-2021, but they are a step in the right direction for closing the affordability gap that has created the gridlock many people are experiencing right now.
We’re hoping for continued steps in 2024.
If you have current real estate questions or are considering a move of your own this coming year, please let me know! I’d love to help.
Kevin
