I believe that, regardless of our religious upbringing, it's difficult to avoid getting caught up in the festive spirit that abounds at this time of year.  There's an infectious mood created by all the Christmas lights, the sound of carols, the gift displays in the stores, and the collections of cards that are pinned up everywhere.
I think, too, that here in Niagara it's extremely hard to overlook all the festivities.  For example, there's the parade that took place last Saturday in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Candlelight Stroll the weekend before, and the Lord Mayor's levee on New Year's Day.  Then there's the light display in Niagara Falls that's becoming more impressive every year, as well as the rockin'-and-rollin' New Year countdown and the explosion of fireworks on both sides of the river.  Moreover, our other communities aren't short of the contributions they make to the holiday season, either.

But does this have anything to do with real estate?
Well, if you'll allow my fondness for word play to get the better of you, I'd like to suggest that there are at least some parallels between the thoughts involved in buying a house and those that can cross our minds at Christmastime.
For instance ....

Choosing your own gift
The house you buy is nothing like the tie you couldn't possibly wear or the blouse that's altogether the wrong size.  Instead, the gift you get is not only the one you want.  It's also something you have the chance of choosing all on our own.  You aren't dependent on someone else's guess, however well intentioned it may be.
Of course, there's not much hope of exchanging it, although the need to do so is hardly likely if you've set about making a careful choice.
And this, ahem, suggests using the services of an agent (and, if I may say so, preferably a buyer one at that), but this can be seen as being no different than letting a knowledgable shop assistant steer you towards the perfect gift.

It can come gift wrapped
If luck goes with you, there'll be some bells and whistles in the house you find.  These don't necessarily mean a whole lot of additional expense, anymore than the wrapping paper has to cost more than the gift itself (even though most of us have done that, haven't we?!!).  Rather, it's a case of the little extras that can make a house more enjoyable:  a well landscaped garden, an existing decor that's a joy to behold, perhaps a designer kitchen or a jacuzzi ensuite bathroom, or similar signs that the present and previous owners have taken pride in the house -- just as you'll be able to do.
And in the way that it doesn't make sense to grab the first thing you see on the counter, you're well advised to do some comparison shopping.  As my clients invariably hear me say:  you have to look at enough wrong ones to find the one that's exactly right.

It may be on sale
Bargain basement prices aren't too common in today's market, and fixer-uppers and Power of Sale properties have become something of a rarity.  Nevertheless, an agent who's worth his or her salt (and therefore your trust) will know which asking prices suggest some room for negotiation.  Familiarity with current and recently sold comparables is the starting point, but an ability -- and willingness -- to "test the waters" is a plus (and one, that if I may be forgiven for saying so, is unlikely -- or even ought -- to come from the property's listing agent).
In any case, a buyer agent's focus on your best interest (i.e. versus the seller's) is your best assurance of getting what I like to describe as "the most house for the money."

A gift that lasts
Whatever you buy, you'll be able to enjoy it not only at Christmastime but also on all the other occasions when there are reasons for family and friends to come together throughout the year.
You do need to buy carefully, to make sure that you're getting value for your money, and to work with an agent who'll prevent you from facing any unexpected surprises.
But a house is a gift that goes on giving.  Indeed, it provides a special meaning to the idea of a Return on the Investment.

It's the thought that counts
Perhaps the best argument for buying and owning a house is the sense of security it gives you.
The days of making money because your house value is rising faster than your income have largely gone.  You now have to think in terms of what can be seen as a forced savings program, one that month by month builds up an equity and increases your net worth. Or, if you make an outright cash purchase, you can be confident that the value will hold and, more than likely, move up a percentage or two year after year.
There's little likelihood, in fact, that you'll end up the worse for what you've paid.  For all the concern about the relentless rise in prices in places like Toronto, buyers hereabouts are involved in a relatively stable market.  The possibility of a sudden collapse in our local real estate values is considered by most experts to be extremely unlikely.

However, let me end these musings before you decide to strike me off your Christmas list!
Let me simply express the hope that the Spirit of Christmas will prevail in all your endeavours.  It is, I'm sure you'll agree, a great feeling that people of all faiths have the opportunity to share.

Duncan Pollock, Real Estate Broker,
427 Gate Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada L0S 1J0
Tel: 905-468-3154 Fax: 905-468-3812 Cellular: 905-704-9037
email: duncanpollock@sympatico.ca
Note: E-mail addressed changed as above on Nov 3 2007
website: http://www.duncanpollock.com