I’ve been patiently awaiting my May issue of 5280 Magazine because they always do a big feature on real estate this month. Last year, their reporting blew me away and I have every new client read the article before I even meet with them. The gist of the story this year is “… desperate protagonists resigning themselves to paying more than expected for a house that – because it’s smaller, or in a dicier zip code, or less quaint than the house they envisioned  – definitely isn’t the home of their dreams.” It dawns on me, this frustrating market is all I know. I’m now a professional at helping people find that compromise, boost their budget by considering a roommate and looking at the tax benefits that they will see in April. It’s not all as desperate as they make it out to be. I’m overjoyed as I see those dicier neighborhoods revitalized. A smaller house can be a blessing if it means you can live a simpler life with less stuff and spend more of your time enjoying camping and hiking. The big benefit that I’m finally starting to experience – my clients who bought 2-4 years ago are now starting to sell. While they have been out camping, getting married, and enjoying all the new restaurants in Denver, their homes have appreciated significantly; giving them a leg up on their counterparts who have been renting. Definitely take the time to read “The House that Love Built” in this year’s issues. It taught me a term “wabi sabi” the art of embracing imperfection. Like the author, I see my clients fall in love with their home and all it’s imperfections after fighting hard for the honor of owning a place they can call their own.