Balance…
Many of us strive to find balance in our lives. And balance can be a trickly thing, especially when you contemplate the timeline and scale of the balance you are trying to create or maintain. In recent years the term work-life balance has continued to proliferate industry and cultural norms, but is it really giving us the balance we desire? Is this balance really achieved by only being required to be in “the office” Tuesday through Thursday and work from home Mondays and Fridays? Or take the European model and plug in a month or more vacation each year on top of generous holidays and daily tea breaks or siestas. And what is the ultimate goal anyway? Work to achieve what so you can enjoy it when? In Aspen it can be hard to balance this work obligation, this social invitation, the desire to go for a long run without your phone, and all the way back to work, work, work.
Food & Wine - By Rising Sun Photography
Recently I have been trying to incorporate multiple timelines into my own concept of work-life balance. Some days are just busier than others, and the same goes for some weeks and months throughout the year. And in the real estate business, simply toss out the Monday through Friday work week altogether. We are often working more on the weekends because that is when our clients have the time to focus on real estate. In that regard, I am happy and excited to work and grind when the iron is hot, and just as equally happy or excited to relax and pursue personal endeavors or desires when the time allows. It definitely takes a conscious effort to make sure I am more aware of the multiple timelines that are in play, and not to get stuck on just one. It is also wildly helpful to make sure you take just a little bit of time for myself every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes.
Getting clearer on my own goals as well as the sacrifices that I am willing to make to achieve those goals has been another helpful tool in finding or accepting when things come out of balance a bit. In my previous business I had essentially zero boundaries between my personal and professional life, my life essentially was my business. And that was amazing for a while, especially when I was young, dumb and blindly building something from pure passion. However, as I have aged and matured a little, those boundaries and goals become more clear and more important.
Okay, so how am I going to link this concept of balance to real estate? Balance is everywhere in real estate. For buyers and sellers there is a constant battle of balancing priorities. Very few, and almost never, does a property check every single box perfectly. I bet even Richard Branson’s Caribbean Island has a few details beyond his control that he would change if he could. Buyers are trying to find balance between what they want to buy, what is available today, and what might come to the market all offset by their own timeline of when they want to or have to make a move. And the same can go for sellers. Even us agents, the balance of spending time on this listing versus that other client, and the family or personal obligation, it’s all a dance.
In short, appreciate the different rhythms in the song, the variety of timelines and scales you can perceive related to the balance you seek, and finally, never stop dancing!
In a more statistical perspective, we have seen the Aspen real estate market come alive in the past few weeks and months. Not to say that it was dormant to begin with, but wow is the energy everywhere recently. From sales in excess of $100 million, more large properties and ranches being listed, single family homes throughout different Aspen neighborhoods coming to market, record breaking condo and townhome sales in Aspen and Snowmass, there is not one segment of Aspen real estate that is not wildly exciting right now. Oh, and did I forget to mention that summer just turned on in the past week, the rivers are pumping, people are everywhere, and Aspen Food & Wine festival is next weekend!
71 & 73 Smuggler Grove - 4 Bed, 7 Bath + Speak-easy Bar - Listed for $17,950,000
Take a look at my latest listing: 71 Smuggler Grove. A masterful fusion of rustic mountain charm, a modern and clean interior, and smart home technology. This three-story, four-bedroom, seven bathroom, stunner boasts an open-concept layout with sweeping views of the Aspen and Smuggler Mountains, a lavish primary suite, and a state-of-the-art three-car garage complete with a hidden auto lift and a secret speak-easy bar. Beyond its aesthetically pleasing exterior, this property is packed with impressive and entertaining features that elevate it to the pinnacle of luxury mountain living.
Call or message me today for more information about 71 & 73 Smuggler Grove and check out www.SmugglerDen.com and @SmugglerDenAspen on Instagram. Co-Listed with Scott Bayens for $17,950,000 - call us today for a private tour.
What a time to be alive! Call me today and let’s find your Aspen dream home. We can work together to find a balance between price and location, square footage and outdoor space, bedrooms and living space, after all it’s all about balance.
