The National Association of Realtors (NAR) November index of signed contracts on existing homes was the same as October, but the NAR noted “a surge in interest, as evidenced by a higher number of lockbox openings.”

Sellers are still getting good prices, as the October National Home Price Index posted its ninth straight monthly gain, and now sits a tick higher than its peak in 2022.

Freddie Mac’s chief economist notes, “Heading into the new year, the economy remains on firm ground with solid growth, a tight labor market, decelerating inflation, and rebound in the housing market.”

“Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”  ~ Mark Twain

Christiaan Barnard performed the world’s first human heart transplant operation on December 3, 1967, in an operation assisted by his brother, Marius Barnard; the operation lasted nine hours and used a team of thirty people.

The patient, Louis Washkansky, was a 54-year-old grocer, suffering from diabetes and incurable heart disease.

Barnard later wrote, “For a dying man it is not a difficult decision because he knows he is at the end. If a lion chases you to the bank of a river filled with crocodiles, you will leap into the water, convinced you have a chance to swim to the other side.”

The donor heart came from a young woman, Denise Darvall, who had been killed in a December 2, 1967, road accident while crossing a street in Cape Town. After securing permission from Darvall’s father to use her heart, Barnard performed the transplant.

Washkansky survived the operation and lived for eighteen (18) days. However, he succumbed to pneumonia induced by the immunosuppressive drugs he was taking.

Though the first patient with the heart of another human being survived for only a little more than two weeks, Barnard had passed a milestone in a new field of life-extending surgery.

Twenty years later, Dr. Marius Barnard recounted, “Chris stood there for a few moments, watching, then stood back and said, ‘It works.'”

Christiaan Neethling Barnard became an international superstar overnight and was celebrated around the world for his daring accomplishment. He was quite photogenic, and enjoyed the media attention following the operation.

After his first successful heart transplant Barnard became known as the “film star surgeon”.

He was hated by many peers who were jealous of his instant success. He was accused by some colleagues in the profession of “stealing” the idea and the opportunity to perform the first heart transplant.

Often considered a spoiled and arrogant personality by his peers, patients regarded him as kind and considerate. He was loved by his patients throughout the world, hundreds of whom were treated free of charge.

Barnard continued to perform heart transplants. A transplant operation was conducted on 2 January 1968, and the patient, Philip Blaiberg, survived for 19 months.

Dorothy Fisher was given a new heart in 1969 and became the first black recipient. She lived for 12 years 6 months after the transplant.

Dirk van Zyl, who received a new heart in 1971, was the longest-lived recipient, surviving over 23 years.

When many surgeons — disillusioned by poor results — gave up cardiac transplantation, Barnard persisted until the advent of cyclosporin, which helped revive the operation throughout the world.

Today, over 4,000 patients a year receive heart transplants.

Cindy Glynn
Coldwell Banker American Home
479-586-6262
agentcindyg@gmail.com

After five months of declines, sales of existing homes reversed course in November. Prices rose only modestly, the median price now up just 4% versus a year ago.

Builders saw a very active November, as housing starts surged nearly 15% for the month, with single-family starts up more than 42% from a year ago. Single-family Building Permits increased, as they’ve done every month this year.

At odds with the positive news, New Home Sales dipped in November, but sales are still up from a year ago. Good news for buyers, the median sales price of new homes is down by 12.5% from the peak late last year.

“You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do.” ~ Dr. Seuss

You can do the same old thing as you do every year, but wait… here are some thoughts about the kind of New Year resolutions others made that could give you some ideas of your own…

My New Year’s resolution is to not eat an Oreo every time I walk into the kitchen.

I hope my neighbor’s New Year Resolution is to throw out the pumpkin on his front porch.

My resolution is to fix that plate thing in the microwave so that it finally rotates.

Finally, after 9 years my resolution is to tell my wife that her mac and cheese could actually be cheesier.

I told my teens that my New Year’s resolution was to give them more hugs. My son looked me dead in the eye and said, “But not in public, right?” So my mission now is to give them Public Hugs.

Don’t post your New Year’s resolutions to social media. Two months from now, when you’re elbow deep in a bag of Cheetos, you don’t need anyone asking you how marathon training is going.

New Year’s resolution: try to worry less, fill that time with, oh no, what am I supposed to fill that time with? This is already going terribly!

My husband and I play a risky game where we get to make one New Year’s resolution for each other every year.

8-year-old: Time for a New Year’s revolution. Me: You mean “resolution… Clearly she did not.”

Easy, my New Year’s resolution is everything I said my New Year’s resolution was last year and the year before that I still haven’t done.

New Year’s Resolution: stop putting lol after every text I send.. lol

Just told 10-year-old he needs to shower tonight and he said, “Ok. Showering is one of my New Year’s Resolutions.”

My New Year resolution is to quit watching shows I don’t like because I can’t reach the remote.

My New Year’s resolution last year was to lose 10 pounds and I’m ending the year with only 17 more to go!

Spend less than $1,825 on coffee at Starbucks this year.

Visit the grocery more often than restaurants.

My parents had resolutions like donating more time and money to charities. I’ve decided to make my own coffee once a week.

Have a fabulous 2024!

Cindy Glynn
Coldwell Banker American Home
479-586-6262
agentcindyg@gmail.com