Despite the headlines and doom and gloom, I thought in this season of glad tidings, I would share some of these news items of the last month.
- November 7th – worker productivity rose in the 3rd quarter – the largest rise in four years!
- October retail sales; Costco + 9.1%, Target + 4.4%, Walmart +1.1%.
- Shea Homes sold more than one home a day in October (despite the fires!) and closed escrow on 24 homes that same month!
- According to the World Economic Forum, the United States is once again the world’s most competitive economy.
- GDP for the last quarter came in at 3.9%, well above estimates.
Since it is the season of gift giving I thought I would give you a few:
1. Well actually the IRS is giving you this one. If you are in a 1031 exchange between October 21, 2007 and January 31, 2008 (and live in one of the fire affected communities), your identification (45 days) and closing (180 days) are extended for an additional 120 days. (Revenue Procedure 2007-56, Section 17)
2. Well this one is actually from Moody’s and MIT. You are going to hear more about this in the future but there is now an index that tracks the state of Commercial Real Estate. You can link to it at our website; www.cdccommercial.com/MoodysIndex.
3. Ever driving down the road and wanted to jot down a note for later? Well, check this out; www.jott.com. You can put their number in your cell phone and call anytime and leave yourself a message, which they transcribe and automatically email to you (or someone else you pre-designate) – and it’s free!. Don’t tell my wife; she’ll be dictating “honey do” projects from the road!
4. Lastly, this is a sneaky gift because you receive when you give to others. When you are making out your holiday card list this year, also include one or two to the following:
A recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
Have you ever walked into an office and felt that elegant confidence that is produced by a team of individuals who enjoy their occupation, excel at their tasks and most importantly thrive within an industry and their community? I know I feel that way about our team at CDC Commercial. I especially want to take this moment to thank Nancy, who will be celebrating her 10-year anniversary with CDC this month.
As in past years there will not be a monthly letter the first of January. But at the end of January you will receive our monthly letter along with our annual Gold Report – our annual forecast.
Hopefully you will take some time from the hustle and bustle of the season to think about what the real meaning of the holidays is and spend time with the ones you love, celebrating family, friends and life. It’s all too easy to spend this time of year worrying about whether you got the right gifts for the right people or which New Year’s Eve party to attend because you don’t want to offend anyone. The true gifts come from within, and which party, if any, you attend on New Year’s Eve should be because you want to go.
As we begin to think about our New Year’s resolutions, there’s one that should be on everyone’s list. Put family and friends first. Because, when it’s all said and done, there isn’t much else in this world that matters.
Happy holidays and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
~ Christmas Story ~
A farmer had some Christmas puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.
“Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”
“Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.”
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.
“I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?”
“Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here, Dolly!” he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.
The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up…
“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.
Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see, sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.
“How much?” asked the little boy.
“No charge,” answered the farmer. “There’s no charge for love.”
The world is full of people who need someone who understands.
Happy Holidays from CDC Commercial.
Don Nancy Rob Lisa Jana
