Author: Fast Newsletters

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December sparkles with lights, music, and celebrations. And of course, Ugly Sweater Day on December 20, a special day when we adults get to play and be silly. Whether or not you don a jingly knit, I hope you have a happy, fun, joyous, and loving holiday season!
~Your Name

December Quiz Question
In what year did Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall in the same year?

Tips for Decorating Outdoor Trees
Hanging lights in outdoor trees sounds festive. Until you’re on the ladder. But if you're determined, arborists have tips.
Zip ties work, but remember to cut every last one off later, or you risk damaging the tree as it grows. Velcro plant ties are safer—they naturally loosen over time. Save effort by artfully draping lights instead of tightly wrapping every branch and use removable clips rather than nails to hold strands in place. For hard-to-reach spots, duct-tape a hook to the end of a broom or long pole.

How Sears ‘Invented’ Amazon…Then Lost It
If you're over 30, you might remember the Sears “Wish Book.” For many, the holidays didn’t truly begin until that thick, glossy catalog hit the mailbox. Kids sprawled on the floor circling Easy-Bake Ovens, chemistry sets, and Barbie Dreamhouses, while Mom dog-eared pages for new robes or kitchen gadgets. Browsing it was a ritual for generations, from 1933 until 2011, when the catalog was finally retired.
In this way, Sears essentially created the online shopping world long before the internet even existed. Their massive mail-order operation (complete with product descriptions, shipping logistics, and home delivery) was the prototype for modern e-commerce. So, why isn’t Sears.com our go-to shopping choice instead of that big river company?
By the time the internet arrived, Sears was deeply invested in malls, real estate, and large stores. Sears leadership dismissed internet shopping as “overhyped.” Instead of leaning into the catalog legacy that had made them a household name, they pulled back in one of the biggest miscalculations in modern retail history. Amazon stepped into the gap.
Now, instead of flipping pages, we scroll through sections of products that interest us, from toys to clothes to appliances. It’s not as cozy as the catalog, but it still carries the same sense of fun when we click the heart or save an item. The joy is in the dream, after all. I hope your wishes come true this holiday season!

What buyers wish they’d known about getting a mortgage before buying!
Getting a mortgage is a mysterious process. Even if you’ve gotten one before, it pays (thousands) to know what you’re doing. Read now or send to a friend.

You know those funny Hallmark cards called Shoebox?
Here’s why they’re called that. Hallmark’s founder Joyce Clyde Hall started the business with a shoebox full of postcards he sold door-to-door in 1910.
Decades later, Hallmark created its popular Shoebox imprint—its witty, irreverent card line—as a tribute to that original shoebox that kicked off the company.

An AI home will become the norm
AI is quickly becoming part of everyday life, including at home. Instead of being merely ‘smart,’ devices now respond in natural language, learn your routines, and manage comfort and energy automatically.
But this shift brings real risks. LLM systems collect data about schedules, habits—even voices—putting you at future risk. There’s also the risk of tech changing: a home wired around a discontinued platform ages fast. Remember surround sound systems from the 90’s? And scariest of all, anything connected can be hacked.
Still, those issues are being addressed, and AI-driven homes may soon feel as normal as Wi-Fi. People will just come to expect it.

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Should we have 50-year mortgages?
The idea of a 50-year mortgage is back in the spotlight after recent comments by Donald Trump suggesting ultra-long mortgage terms could make homeownership more affordable. While the proposal has sparked interest, it also raises important questions for buyers. The main advantage of a 50-year mortgage is lower monthly payments. Stretching repayment over five decades can make an expensive home feel more attainable, especially in markets where prices outpace incomes. Longer terms may also offer stability for younger buyers expecting future income growth.
But the downsides are significant. First, the total interest paid over 50 years is enormous—much higher than with 25- or 30-year options. Buyers may gain short-term relief but sacrifice long-term financial health. Second, equity builds very slowly. If you wanted to sell in the near term (say 10 years), you might not have any equity built up, especially if prices drop. Resale can also become tricky if the market shifts.
Canada once permitted amortizations up to 40 years under insured mortgages. Policy-makers rolled back those rules because they determined that ultra-long terms increase risk by reducing equity build-up and encouraging higher overall household debt. There are situations when a long-term mortgage might work, but discuss carefully first.

Thank you, friends!
I’m grateful to all of you who you have been part of my business world. A special shout-out this month to…
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This newsletter is for entertainment purposes only. Images are sourced from Canva.com. This information is solely for entertainment, and should not be substituted for medical, legal, financial or tax advice. This is not intended as a solicitation of listed property.