Time for the Rest of it

It was a long, crazy, wonderful summer in the Northeast Ohio real estate market.  Long days turned over into late nights. The pace was fast and furious, buyers were finding, falling in love with, and financing homes.  I was joyful amid the hectic pace, because I loved seeing the real estate market roar back to life.  There's a thrill in being part of a robust market, and the phone ringing off the hook meant I was in the middle of a healthy step forward for the economy.

In the month or so since kids have been shuttled off to school and carefree summer has wound down into fall, business is proceeding much more sedately.  The phone is quieter, showings are down on current listings, and I heard a client use the dreaded phrase the other day, "maybe we'll just wait until spring . . ." 

I was thinking about this lull yesterday and feeling anxious about it, when i came to realize that a peace was stealing over me.  It was afternoon and I was at home, sitting quietly in my upstairs office with none of the sound and fury of summer's rush to rouse me from thought.  And i needed those moments - MY moments of restful recharging  and reflection. The chaotic dance of meeting buyers' and sellers' needs all spring and summer had left me really fatigued!

We are on the cusp of a glorious show of autum  foliage.  There will be days in October that are tailor made for lazy drives through the hills of Amish country.  Another way I enjoy a sunny fall day is at a local orchard where "pick your own" concord grapes hang in heavy, perfumed clusters.  Bees bustle and buzz around but are too drunk on the sweet grape juice to even think about stinging.  Bluebirds sit at the edges of the vineyard and sing a sweet good-bye as they prepare to fly on to endless summer.

No endless summer for me, though I thought I had wanted one.  After a small break to stop and smell the roses (or the grapes, apples, and pumpkins), I'll be actively prospecting for next spring's flood of business. 

-Theresa Ziebro & Mark Piscitelli, Remax Trinity Cuyahoga and Summit County Realtors