In case you missed it, the residential real estate market has been on fire. It started as migration away from large dense urban markets, to the suburban market and then leaked into the vacation/second home markets and now back again in the cities (NYC is on fire). This consumption was in part fueled (turbocharged) by cheap, available money, newfound freedom, and fear. I suspect that the increased utility of one's home also had a significant impact on price and value. During the pandemic, the home quickly became a shelter from the storm and all those infected zombies outside. Your home office became your office office. Your computer became your department store, and your mailbox your shipping/receiving hub. Your dining room became your restaurant. You could argue that your home quickly became (zoned for?) a mixed-use property during the pandemic, which has significantly more value for the owner/user. Your home basically displaced office, retail, and restaurant real estate. Even as things are beginning to normalize, I imagine much will remain of the home(s) as the center of your universe. It is your way to avoid stranger danger.
Note of caution...If you think costly experiences are in bad taste, read no further. If you don't care and/or need a little extravagance, read on!
Travel
People didn't travel early in the pandemic. Most people barely left their own homes. The idea of traveling with Covid zombies on an aluminum tube with poor circulation was a non-starter. Many who ventured outward and upward sought the safety of chartering private planes, which provided a more controlled (covid-free) environment. Private aviation continues to boom now despite being expensive both economically and environmentally. Therefore, fellow Louper Evan L. (formerly of Blade) and I created Katana (shameless promotion) to easily coordinate the splitting of private planes. Our sincere hope is that this small service will introduce the convenience of private travel and make it more accessible to the masses without the onerous pricing. Make the unaffordable less unaffordable!
Katana allows Members to find and share travel intent with Friends, Groups, and anonymously with other Katana Members. For example, if you want to travel from New York to Aspen on a specific date (or anytime really), you can first see if a compatible booked flight or interest exists inside or outside your network. If a flight exists, click it to reach out to the Originator for acceptance, and Katana will facilitate coordination. If one doesn't exist or the Originator doesn't accept your invitation to Join, you may Book the flight (Katana's Partners will find options) or Add interest so others can see it. It's that easy!
The initial (Beta) Membership annual fee is $150, which includes a 30-day free Test Flight; this price can be reduced to $100 simply by successfully inviting 5 Members to join your network and adding 2 Flights during the Test Flight. This is the Beta release, so constructive feedback (criticism) is valued, encouraged, and expected.
Now that many of us (hopefully) are vaxxed, the travel bug is back. I, for one, am dreaming of getting back to and/or discovering new bucket list spots around the globe. Yet, I'm still not game for the coughing passenger next to me with his/her mask below their nose. So, join us and Fly Katana, where we are splitting planes, and breaking barriers!
Homeakse
Omakase was difficult to reproduce during the pandemic because as we all know sushi delivery is never good. Furthermore, the idea of sitting at a crowded sushi bar with strangers and taking raw fish from a sushi chef didn't rank high on anyone's list of must-do activities. Outdoor table service, takeout, or even delivery is no way to treat fresh fish. Therefore I was very excited to learn from fellow loupers Andrew and Michelle S. about Homakase when they invited me to their home for Omakase. The chefs hail from the most venerable sushi restaurants around NYC, a la Sushi Zo, Sushi by Bou, Sushi Seki, etc., and they bring the omakase to your home, as the name suggests. The sushi is excellent, the chef is masterful, and this service is something that will/should survive the end of the pandemic.
Night Inn
Wine tasting is a lovely activity for friends, couples, really anyone. It is an amazing thing to do when you visit great wine regions like Napa, Bordeaux, Tuscany, and of course...The North Fork. While the North Fork isn't quite the same level, it certainly is the closest to where I live. Nonetheless, what if you could have all the fun of wine tasting without the travel? Enter Night Inn, a service that has made it quite easy to book a fabulous night at home with friends with your very own Somellier from the finest restaurants who come to your home with wines specific to your palette and price point. All you have to do is drink up (or swoosh and spit). Many thanks to fellow Loupers Nancy & Ken L. for introducing me to this perfect Night Inn at home with friends.
Caviar Pimp
May as well go all the way here. We started with private travel, then Omakase, then wine tasting, and now the ultimate extravagance ... caviar, the delicacy of kings and queens. Beluga Caviar is so sought after that overfishing has rendered it nearly extinct. Since you have no intention of traveling to the lovely countries that border the Caspian Sea (Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan), we must resort to a handful of cheesy Russian restaurants or upscale grocery stores. However, I was recently introduced to the Caviar Pimp, who delivers great caviar to your home at prices well below any of the aforementioned spots. Right now, he is selling mostly Ossetra, which you can pair with the essential blinis (I don't need the other stuff!), so you don't have to, dare I say it .... leave your couch or backyard!
Now you can find privacy together, and consider Katana, Homakase, Home Inn, and Caviar Pimp Found!