Do you have a “word of the year” selected for 2025?  The exercise of choosing a word helps you to figure out what your top priorities for the year will be.  After all, the choices are endless!  There are so many directions to take in this exercise and in life.  I have found that reflection, self-awareness and thoughtful goal writing help to land on a word that is meaningful.  My business coach hasn’t let a year slip by without this exercise, so over the years I have learned to embrace this tradition as a powerful way to drill down to my focus for the year.

After weeks of contemplation over the holidays, I decided on the word STRONG.  Somehow writing it in all capital letters makes me feel stronger already.  Saying it aloud also makes me sit up taller in my chair and ready to handle anything headed my way.  This word relates to all 5 circles in my life, personal, family, business, financial and spiritual.  As I reflect on this, I want to get strong personally so I can be strong for my family, my team and all of you on both a personal and professional level.

2025 happens to be a big year in the W household…Scott and I both have our 50th birthdays and it’s our 25th wedding anniversary.  To manifest being STRONG, we have committed to hiking the Tour Du Mont Blanc this July.  This 100-mile trekking trail that passes through France, Italy and Switzerland is giving me the push I needed to build the strength I have been dreaming about for a long time!  I am focusing on yoga, weight training and taekwondo, activities that will prepare me for the trip ahead, and as my coach pointed out, make me strong and well so I can endure and enjoy everything else in 2025. 

While we are talking about strength, real estate is the best way to maintain a strong and growing investment portfolio.  In keeping up with the market, here’s a summary of the stats for single family homes in Mecklenburg County in November compared to the previous month and again to the same month last year:

• Home sales are up 7% from last month and 18% from last year.
• Average sales price is down 4% from last month but up 6% from last year.
• Median sales price is down 2% from last month but up 10% from last year.
• Average price per square foot is even with last month but up 2% from last year.
• Sale to list price ratio at 99% is unchanged from last month and last year.
• Average time on market is up 14% from last month and 48% from last year.
• Pending sales are down 7% from last month and 9% from last year.
• Supply is down 11% from last month, but up 37% from last year.
• Mortgage rates at 7.04% are up from 6.60% last month and 6.66% last year.
• Average house payment is even from last month, but up 10% from last year.

I’d love to hear the word you’ve chosen. Please reach out to maria@wrealtygroup.com to share your word and your focus.  We can help each other thrive in 2025!