Christmas Thoughts

Imagine Joe and Mary sitting inside their idling U-Haul in the driveway, waiting for the keys to their new home. There are no rooms available at the motel. They don’t have keys because the escrow hasn’t closed yet. The shed out back starts to look appealing… Please forgive me if, in this version of the Christmas story, the miracle is a real estate closing.

Sometimes, closings do seem like a miracle – everything needs to line up just right to make it happen. Our job at Clark County Title is to get these things lined up – we don’t do everything; that takes good Realtors, lenders, appraisers and others – but we help these professionals push the sleigh across the goal line so that a buyer’s first cup of coffee in a new home is like Christmas morning, anytime of year. Being happy with where you live is a true happiness no less joyful than a child in pajamas ripping open a wrapped gift.

Whether you’re spiritual or not, the Christmas themes of renewal, redemption, and hope are universal. The alternative is to be a mean-spirited Scrooge, seeing the negative in everything while ignoring the positive. Who wants to be a Scrooge? I’m very optimistic about Clark County and our nation, and there’s good reason to think that our quality of life, made possible by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the friendly people of Southwest Washington, will continue to improve.

I’m also optimistic about the local real estate market in 2017. Property values continue to rise gradually and the volume of transactions is strong. Clark County Title is proud to be a part of this strong market.

Thank you for supporting the people of Clark County Title! It is a blessing for which we are grateful.

Scott Hogan
Clark County Title
Scott@ClarkCountyTitle.com
360.694.4722