Happy New Year! I wanted to take a moment to reach out and share a few personal updates with you, as well as what I’m looking forward to in 2021.
As you may or may not know, my real estate journey began over 50 years ago when I moved to Phoenix – I’m sure there aren’t many that can say that! When I married a native Phoenician in 1968 and moved from Sacramento, CA to Phoenix, I fell in love with the city and knew it was home from that point on. As a stay-at-home mom I became a semi-pro ‘boy wrangler’ while raising our three sons, but when our youngest started school full time, I decided it was time for a career!
Being both analytical and creative, my education encompassed art and accounting. Seeing that combination as a plus, I was urged by a very successful real estate broker to consider a career as a residential realtor. I studied and worked hard to obtain my Real Estate License, all while continuing to raise our boys. In those days, you received a pass/fail in the mail, and I was ecstatic when I received the letter that I had passed.
I excitedly announced to just about everyone I knew that I was now a licensed Realtor, sending them all business cards, etc., and on September 16, 1983, I closed my first deal. I was thrilled! It was a wonderful beginning to an amazing journey.
Fast forward to 2020 where Arizona, and the world, were hit with the pandemic. From the very beginning, our family and team took the advice of the medical and science community and adjusted all things at home and work. Our team pivoted to ensure the safety of all our clients. As you may know, the AZ real estate market boomed in 2020 due to historically low mortgage rates and a large influx of people moving to the Valley, and I was honored to have been able to continue helping so many with their real estate needs. Now, our market is reaching new highs in prices and unprecedented lows in inventory, and we find ourselves adjusting again. I can honestly say that I love this industry that constantly keeps me on my toes!
Personally, my husband and I decided to forego family gatherings, and we miss them dearly. With two grandsons’ in Central Phoenix that we saw often, and three granddaughters in Spokane, WA — like many, we found ourselves relying on FaceTime and Zoom to keep in touch. And while we appreciate being able to hear their voices and see their sweet faces, we are looking forward to spending lots of in-person time with them again very soon! With a lot more free time on my hands, I was able to paint more than in recent years – which has been a passion of mine since I was younger. In addition, my husband and I spent quite a bit of time in Flagstaff, where we’ve owned a home since the 1990’s. It was great to be able to get outside, and we enjoyed many walks and bike rides.
My husband also celebrated his 80th birthday this past year on October 14th. We received a call from our son, Steve – who is also my business partner — and his wife, Carly. They invited us to join their family on Oak Creek in Sedona for a small, socially distanced celebration. It was wonderful! We gathered outside on lawn chairs, enjoying drinks and snacks while watching our two grandsons play by the creek. It was a beautiful way to celebrate a major milestone, safely. With vaccines on the horizon, a family and team that has thankfully remained healthy, and a real estate market that closed out 2020 on a high, I find myself grateful for so much, and am looking forward to all the promise that 2021 brings. The journey continues!
I look forward to serving you in 2021 and wish you much health and happiness.
Shelley Caniglia
