9. When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home?

When I was a kid, I desperately wanted one of those black Magic 8 Balls that answer all the questions of life. You held the ball in your hands, asked a yes or no question, and turned it over. Then, voila! There was your answer, in black and white. Much to my delight, I received the Magic 8 Ball for Christmas. I was mesmerized and couldn’t fathom how it worked. I asked my father if he knew how it worked, and he said yes, but then he refused to tell me on the grounds that it would spoil my fun. So, my friends and I shared many moments of surprise and delight in receiving answers from the mysterious ball.

About a year later, I finally convinced my dad to tell me how it worked. As it turned out, the magic ...

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