John White

A Special Day In My Life

Four years ago today, I experienced what can easily be described as the greatest day of my life. My son, Kasen, came into the world, and my life changed more profoundly than I ever could have imagined. Perhaps, because I waited until the not so young age of 36 to become a dad, becoming a parent was more meaningful to me than if I had become a dad before acquiring the wisdom to grasp what an enormous responsibility that title is all about.

I know that it’s not politically correct to admit to this, but I’ve never found children remotely interesting. None of them (including my own) are half as cute as their parents think they are. None of them (including my own) are quite as brilliant as their parents think they are, and most of them (including my own) whine far too much for my sanity. Somehow, none of this matters when it’s your child.

I vividly remember back in 2004 when my beloved Red Sox FINALLY won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. It was an amazing and euphoric moment (you really have to be a Red Sox fan to relate to this feeling) and one of the highlights of my life. My late grandmother was born in 1918 (the last year the Red Sox won the World Series, prior to 2004) and passed away in 2000. She was a big Red Sox fan, and sadly, never had the opportunity to see the local baseball team win it all. I remember that fateful October night in 2004 when I finally witnessed “the impossible” (i.e. the Red Sox winning it all). I was convinced that nothing would ever top that moment in time. Boy, was I wrong.

My son doesn’t always listen and sometimes is a bit defiant. He even sometimes acts up at school. That said, there isn’t a second that goes by that I’m not reminded of the indescribable feeling I had (I know all of you parents can relate) the second I heard him cry for the first time. Even four years later, I’m still in complete awe every time I look into his little blue eyes.

Being a Real Estate Agent is incredibly hard and enjoyable work. Being a dad is the hardest job I’ve ever had in my life, and I’ve never enjoyed anything as much. Thank you to my little boy for being what will forever be my greatest accomplishment in this life. I love you, man.

“Daddy”

How Did This Happen To Me?

I celebrated my (GULP) 40^th birthday yesterday. Boy, is that tough to say (at least for everyone under that age). Turning 40 isn’t really much of a story. As I always tell people, getting old isn’t much of an accomplishment and takes zero talent! The story here is that it occurred to me when I woke up this morning (the day after turning 40) is that I am now closer to 60 than I am to 20! Leave it to me to find the silver lining J How did this ever happen to me? If you’re wondering what the “this” is that I’m referring to, I’m referring to the fact that somehow, some way, along the journey that is life, the dreaded “middle age” completely snuck up on me while I wasn’t paying attention and while I was thinking that I was still 25. I vividly remember when my mother turned 40 (I was 12), I was convinced that she was going to die at any minute, because she was REALLY OLD! I remember feeling badly for my mom because she was so old. I’m happy to report that my mother is alive and well, and will be celebrating her 68^th birthday the end of October. I’m the youngest of five children and was always the “baby brother”. The “baby brother” isn’t allowed to get old, right? I’m often reminded of just how old I’m getting when I encounter someone I went to school with who is off visiting colleges with their children. My one and only child will celebrate his 4^th birthday later this month. Parenting is a young man’s game, so I can only hope that chasing around a soon to be 4 year old will keep me “young” , even though the calendar is telling me otherwise.

There are moments that I try to convince myself that I’m not really that “old”. Those are the moments when I come to realize that I am a member of the last generation who knows what an 8-track tape is. I’m a member of the last generation who knows what a record or cassette is. I’m a member of the last generation who didn’t grow up with computers in school and everywhere else. I’m a member of the last generation who remembers when “Apple” was an important fruit to consume, and the Sony Walkman was “THE” portable music player. Oh, and I’m a member of the last generation who remembers when Elvis was actually alive. I’m always happy when Brett Favre decides to “un-retire” each season, because he’s the only guy in the NFL who is actually older than I am. By the way Brett, Happy 41^st birthday on October 10^th (see that, someone is older than I am)!

I’m certain that some of my fellow Active Rainers will weigh in here and tell me that “40 is the new 30”. Now, if I could only convince myself of that. I often hear many say that they would never want to go back and be 25 again. I must admit that I don’t share that sentiment. Being young is a beautiful thing. That said, because I’m no longer 25 (or sadly, even 35), I must hang my hat on the wisdom I’ve acquired along this journey. Getting old has to count for something, right?

Halloween is just around the corner - As we approach the second week of October, I'm reminded that the one day of the calendar year where children are allowed to ingest far more candy than they should be able to is rapidly approaching. Given the high unemployment rate and the well-documented struggles of the U.S. economy, purchasing a Halloween costume for a family struggling to make ends meet on a day to day basis can be a daunting task. This is where the non-profit FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH steps in to lend a helping hand.

Many children don't have costumes to be able to join their friends for a night of "trick or treating". Finding a solution to ensure that every child who wants a costume for that special day could have one is what motivated Merritt Friedman and her husband Adam Pearson to start FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH. For the past six years, they have collected costumes throughout the year, with a huge push during late September and early October, in preparation of the annual costume giveaway. When asked what gave her the idea of creating FROM THE PUMPKIN PATCH, Ms. Friedman said that it all started when she and her husband were handing out treats to children on a Halloween night. They noticed that some of the children didn't have costumes and realized that there was a need that wasn't quite being met.

How can you help? In advance of the big costume giveway, you can assist by looking through your closets, attics, and basments for any old costumes, athletic uniforms, costume jewelry, accessories, etc, and asking your friends, family members and colleagues to do the same. Most costumes are worn only one time for a couple of hours and are in perfect shape to give to a child in need. You can assist by dropping off costumes at the various drop off centers, located throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire. If there is not a drop-off center located close to you and you'd still like to help, please send me an email at john.white@realestate.com and I can make arrangements to have your costume donation picked up at a location that is convenient for you.

The excitement of Halloween - The big costume giveway will take place at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in Lowell, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 30, 2010. The event is open to all. If you'd like to volunteer and assist the children with picking out that perfect costume, set up will be from 8am to 10am and the costume giveway will take place from 10am to 2pm. You can email Merritt Friedman at merritt@fromthepumpkinpatch.org if you have any questions or would like to assist with this great cause.

One final way to help the cause - I would be most appreciative of any of my fellow Acive Rain members who live in New England would re-post my blog to ensure that we can reach as many people as possible. Thank you.

Here is hoping that you, your children, and all the children have a great Halloween and have many great memories of their night out and their new, great costume.

Respectully,

John E. White

Now is not the time to buy - Let me preface my comments by first stating the obvious. The U.S. economy is not well and consumer confidence is not remotely high. Also, the MA Association of REALTORS® just announced that existing home sales are down for yet another month (5th consecutive month) and the number is a staggering 19% (from one year ago). I suspect this isn't much of an anomaly, and the numbers are probably consistent across many U.S. markets.

Or, Is It? - I do realize that with all of the "doom and gloom" news, it's difficult for many to come to the realization that now is a good time to buy a piece of real estate (especially if you have a property to sell). I also understand that for those who are out of work, many other things are a higher priority (and should be). That said, there is tremendous opportunity for those who are in the market to purchase a home.

My Answer Is YES, and Here is Why - Let's face it...property values are down, exponentially, across the country. There are very few markets in this country who haven't seen significant decreases in values. In many markets, we are now seeing prices at levels they haven't been at since as far back as 2000, in some cases. When you consider that 30 year fixed rate mortgage rates were at a high of 8.71% in May of 2000, and a "low" of 7.58% in December of 2000, there are simply too many "values" out there to ignore. I recently decided to purchase my 7th home in the past 10 years, and I feel better about the value that I feel I got on both the home and my mortgage rate than on any other property purchase in my lifetime. I recently locked in a 30 year fixed rate mortgage at 4.125%. Just for perspective, a mortgage payment on a $200K mortgage at 2000 rates (and I'm referring to the low of 2000 and not the high) would be $1409.40. A payment on a $200K mortgage at today's rates would be $968.72, for a monthly savings of $440.68, which isn't just a car payment, but a very nice car payment.

This Too Shall Pass - Let's face it, the forces that move the U.S. economy are cyclical. There are some who believe that the real estate market will never rebound. Most of us know better. At some point, the real estate market, and the U.S. economy will come storming back to life. In my opinion, I'm not sure that we've ever had a better market to purchase a home in. It's truly "The Perfect Storm" of real estate, in terms of having prices that we haven't seen in almost a decade and mortgage rates lower than we've ever seen in the history of mortgage rates. Here's hoping that you're in a position to capitalize on what is surely a fleeting and perhaps once in a lifetime opportunity.