And since we’re showing the kids these Legos, let’s show them ONE more crazy story… In Sweden, an octopus has become an unlikely music star, by learning to play the piano!

Seriously.

This talented eight-armed creature has been tickling the ivories and creating quite a splash (Dad Joke #1 for 2026) in the music world. Scientists are studying how the octopus interacts with the instrument, and the results are both adorable and fascinating. The underwater musician proves that creativity and curiosity exist throughout the animal kingdom. If we had bet on whether an octopus could play piano, I would have ended up on Scott Van Pelt’s “Bad Beats,” for sure… click below. 

HARDWARE. HARD WHERE?

Moving from the stories above that feel like they’re from the future to a retro story, with a feel-good vibe.

Here's a heartwarming story that proves good things can come from unexpected places. When a small hardware store in Heflin, Alabama closed its doors, nobody expected their old merchandise would become a fundraising phenomenon. But that's exactly what happened with their vintage hats featuring the store's logo. The caps from JA Owens Ace Hardware caught the attention of fans who noticed the hat worn in the hit Netflix series "Stranger Things."

The store’s leftover hat inventory has transformed into a fundraiser supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The Stranger Things Fandom rallied around these nostalgic hats, seeing them as a perfect blend of local history, pop culture cool, AND it is ALL for a good cause! If a closed business can bring retro small-town vibes with modern entertainment culture, all while making a real difference for children facing serious illnesses, well, gang, sometimes the best stories write themselves!

REAL ESTATE TO BEHOLD



After the hustle and bustle of the Holidays it may be time to relax a little and the founder of Palantir, Alex Karp, just bought a property where you could do exactly that. Karp recently paid a reported $120 million for St. Benedict’s Monastery, a historic 3,700-acre estate in Snowmass, Colorado, marking the most expensive residential sale ever recorded in Pitkin County. The former home of Trappist monks - complete with the original monastery, retreat center, creeks, irrigated meadows, and panoramic mountain views - had been on the market for $150 million but sold for less, and Karp, a tech billionaire best known as CEO of data-analytics company Palantir, plans to use the tranquil property as a private retreat rather than develop it. Click below to see more.

If you gifted anyone rubber mats for their car or truck, WeatherTech founder, David MacNeil, would like to personally thank you, and is commemorating all of those purchases over the years by purchasing another amazing property. MacNeil has been assembling a remarkable luxury estate in ultra-exclusive Manalapan, Florida, spending roughly $94 million on ocean-to-Intracoastal parcels that span nearly four acres of prime waterfront, including a newly acquired 1.6-acre lot alongside his existing holdings. MacNeil’s strategy has involved buying existing homes and land, then clearing them to create a single, custom compound in one of South Florida’s most coveted luxury markets. Click on the photo below to see more.

If you’re a fan of your morning coffee, you might appreciate this one: K-Cup billionaire Robert “Bob” Stiller just closed the sale on his stunning Palm Beach, Florida, mansion for about $66.14 million. The Intracoastal-front estate, which spans more than 13,300 square feet with seven bedrooms, nine full bathrooms and three half-baths, was originally listed for $90 million this past spring before the price was adjusted to meet buyer interest. Built in 2013 and boasting classic Palm Beach design, a pool, deepwater dock and a mix of elegant indoor and outdoor living spaces, the property sold for just a bit more than what Stiller — co-founder of Keurig Green Mountain — paid for it almost three years ago. Click below to read more.

Finally, with Miami’s big win in the CFP semifinals of the playoffs last night, we wanted to close out with one that you could pick up in advance of the Championship Game in a few weeks. This one is a secluded waterfront compound in Miami’s Coconut Grove, one of the city's most coveted neighborhoods, just sold for about $101.5 million. The estate spans roughly 4½ acres on Biscayne Bay and includes two main residences along with multiple guesthouses tucked into lush tropical landscaping, offering privacy and resort-like living just minutes from the city’s amenities. Click below to take the tour.

THE ECONOMY AND REAL ESTATE

Couple of big stories out of Washington, DC this week that could affect housing going forward. Thursday Night, President Trump took aim at lowering interest rates, instructing the government sponsored entities, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac to purchase $200 billion in mortgage bonds. As our AVID readers (or classmates of mine in Dr. Dunkelberg’s Econ 101) may remember, bonds have two parts – the yield and the price. When institutional investors at Banks or in the government buy huge chunks of bonds that generally drives up the PRICE of the Bond, which lowers the YIELD; and that yield is where our mortgage come from. Following that announcement on Twitter (aka X), our pricing and rates improved (which you can see below.) Click below to read more and keep reading below. 

Earlier in the week the administration took aim at another side of America's housing market’s supply and demand. Another proposal aims at improving affordability by removing some demand for houses by barring large institutional investors from buying up single-family homes. The administration argues that corporate ownership limits ownership opportunities for ordinary buyers and drives up prices. Alright you Dunkelberg’s Econ 101 fans, let’s go back to the ol’ Supply and Demand graph., as this move seeks to affect the demand side for homes. By removing corporate buyers (aka demand) for the houses, this could hopefully help main street Americans who are trying to purchase a house from having to compete with huge corporate conglomerations.

So, whether you're a renter hoping to buy your first home or a current homeowner watching “For Sale Signs” in your neighborhood, these policy discussions could impact your future housing options. The coming months will show us how these proposals translate into actual changes that affect real people and real communities. Our editors and story runners will keep a sharp eye on this, but you can read more about it below.

What about back here in Alabama, well… let's close out with some GREAT news for our state! The U-Haul Growth Index just dropped, and our state is making major moves—literally! (Dad Joke #2) This index tracks where Americans are relocating by measuring one-way U-Haul truck rentals across the country. Alabama jumped an impressive seven spots from #16 last year to #9 this year! Even better, six of the top ten growth states are right here in SEC country. Looks like "it just means more" applies to more than just football!

Why is Alabama climbing these rankings? Your hard-earned dollars stretch further here when it comes to real estate. Alabama ranks among the lowest states for “Days of Work to Afford your Mortgage,”  meaning you don't have to work forever just to own a home. Plus, our job market is VERY STRONG with an unemployment rate of just 2.7% (that's nearly half the national average of 4.6%!) When you combine affordable housing with plenty of job opportunities, it's no wonder people are choosing to pack up there U-Haul Clampett style, moving to call Alabama home.

The combination of low costs, strong employment, and growing communities makes Alabama an attractive destination for families and businesses alike. Whether you're already here or thinking about moving, the numbers show Alabama is heading in the right direction!

We’re RAPIDLY closing in on the spring buying season that a friend told me starts after the National Championship game and Super Bowl. Spring is traditionally the busiest season for home buying, and 2026 is shaping up to be a particularly active year. Recent surveys show more buyers are planning to make their move in the coming months. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, now's the time to start preparing. So, let’s transition to a story from KCM titled, More Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2026. Here’s How To Get Ready.

Momentum is quietly building in the housing market. New data from NerdWallet shows more Americans are starting to think about buying a home again. Last year, 15% of respondents said they planned to buy a home in the next 12 months. This year, that number rose to 17%.



That 2% increase might not sound like a big jump, but in a market where buyer demand has been cooling for the past few years, it’s a sign things are starting to shift. More people are feeling ready (or at least closer to ready) to take the leap and buy a home in 2026.

And if you’re in that camp and buying a home is on your goal sheet this year, this is your nudge to connect with a local agent and a trusted lender to start laying the groundwork now.

Planning To Move in Early 2026? Start with These 4 Steps

If you’re eager to get the ball rolling right away, here's what to tackle first:

1) Get pre-approved. A pre-approval gives you a real understanding of your buying power and what your payment could be at today’s rates. But keep in mind, Experian says most pre-approvals are only good for 30-90 days, so this step makes the most sense as you’re ready to get serious.

2) Run the numbers. Look closely at all your expenses to come up with your budget. Consider what you’re spending on other bills and what your monthly mortgage payment would be once you buy. That way you go in with open eyes and you don’t stretch too far.

3) Define your non-negotiables. Once you know the numbers work, figure out your must-haves. This includes your desired location, commute, layout, school district, lifestyle needs, etc. Getting clear on these now makes decisions easier once you start looking at homes.

4) Choose your agent early. Look at reviews online and talk to multiple agents to find one you trust that you also click with. The right agent does more than show homes. They help you understand pricing, competition, timing, and strategy before you ever write an offer.

Thinking about Buying Later in the Year? This Is Still Your Window To Prepare

Even if buying feels like a late-2026 goal, this moment still matters. The buyers who feel the most confident later are usually the ones who quietly prepared earlier.



That doesn’t mean big financial commitments or major lifestyle changes. It just means setting yourself up so you’re ready when the timing is right. Here are a few low-stress ways to do that:

1) Work on your credit. While you don't need to have perfect credit to buy a home, your score can have an impact on your loan terms and even your mortgage rate. So, working to bring up your score has its perks. Paying down debt now and making payments on time can help bring your score up.

2) Automate your savings. If you have to remember to transfer money into your homebuying savings manually, you may forget to do it. So, you may want to set up automatic transfers to drive consistency and remove the temptation to spend the money elsewhere.

3) Lean into your side hustles: Do you have a gig you do (or have done before) to net some extra cash? Taking on part-time work, freelance jobs, or picking up a side hustle can help give your savings a boost.

4) Put any unexpected cash to good use: If you get any sudden windfalls, like a tax refund, bonus, inheritance, or cash gift from family, put it toward your house fund. You’ll thank yourself later.

The common thread here? The right prep work makes a difference.

Bottom Line:

If buying a home in 2026 is on your radar, let’s start the conversation today. Not to rush a decision, but to make sure you know how to get ready for your moment.



Because every move (whether it’s next year or later) is smoother when it starts with a plan. And if you need help coming up with one that works, let’s connect.

RATES:

Pricing and rates remain erratic and volatile. Confirm rates & pricing directly with your loan officer.

Check out the trivia below and remember, there is a drawing to enter to win a gift card. This is your chance to enter for a chance to win the gift card awarded every other month. This trivia question is for the January and February drawing/card.

TRIVIA QUESTION

Lego was founded in 1932 by our man Ole Kirk Christiansen or rather the company that would become LEGO was founded then, and the name comes from the Danish words, Leg and Godt. What do those two words translate from Danish into English as?

A. Build it

B. Put Together

C. Play Well

D. Go Deacs

E. Foot Pain*

*anyone who has stepped on Legos barefoot may choose this one.

Click here to EMAIL ME YOUR ANSWER.

**Email your answer to me to have your name entered in a drawing for a gift card at the beginning of even months and YES you can go back and answer previous weeks’ questions if you have not answered them already AND if we have not unveiled the answer yet***