I once bought a beautiful 5 acre plot on which to build a family home. I wasn't ready at the time of purchase to build but it was a one of a kind parcel, on what I considered the loveliest street in the county, and I knew there wouldn't be any more just like it. The street was called "High Street" because it was relatively high ground. On either side of the street the lots dropped down to flowing creeks, which smaller and larger creeks eventually merged at the end of the street. Each lot was open / grassy up front and heavily wooded at the back. Lot size ranged from 4.5 to 11.5 acres. Given the wetlands that abutted the creeks it was fairly certain no visible developments would show up in your backyard. There were no side streets, cul de sacs, anything. Just a mile+ drive along High Street.
It was heavenly. I was very happy I made the purchase. I was very happy to own it. I looked forward to building a dream home. I even had a scale model built.
Unfortunately, circumstances (illness in the family) dictated that I change plans, so I eventually - reluctantly - made the decision to sell. As much as buying was the right decision so was selling. No regrets. No economic loss, either.
It's just me now, JR. My wife of 33+ years has passed on. My kids are grown. Really no one to answer to but myself.
In the scheme of things, when and how I get around to developing this particular domain, seems a small thing. The topic of the domain remains a real interest, often a source of joy and health in my life, perhaps even a bit of a passion - which is a good thing after recently feeling a bit beat up by life. (Maybe it was a lifeline to myself.)
In time I'll do something with it, something of some value, and see where it leads. If I don't develop a site I'm sure my kids will figure out what to do with this and may other domains, what to keep and what to sell. Just like that lovely parcel of land, this chosen investment is one that I do not and will not regret. Maybe it will be a legacy. Maybe it will be part of my retirement plan. Maybe it will hold its value. My guess, given the growing popularity of the topic, is that it will.
FWIW, shortly before I acquired this domain I sold one "in the same topical realm" - a domain that was less descriptive than the one I acquired - for about 2.5Xs what I paid for this domain. So the acquisition wasn't without an economic context, one that made it a bit easier to support my decision to acquire the domain. Concurrently, the imminent arrival of a new gTLD that employed (endorsed, popularized) the very keyword of the domain I targetted argued for the timeliness of the purchase. (One never knows how it all works out but, after years of experience, I've come to feel a bit more at ease with my educated guesses. One could say the new gTLD eats away at the domains inherent value. I think otherwise.)
I hope this bit of history clarifies a few things for you, JR. As the song goes "You may be right. I may be crazy. But it just may be a lunatic . . . " (who survives in this crazy digital world).
