I just got back from visiting family and friends on the west coast.  I was in Reno, Nevada and southern California for a 3 week stay.  It was just reported that Nevada has their highest unemployment rate since 1976.  While driving around middle to high end homes I noticed many all closed up and un-kept yards.  Very beautiful homes just sitting there, no sign out in the yard, nothing going on.   The grass would be dead but the weeds two feet tall.  Some homes looked like they had been neglected for some time.  Reno resides in Washoe County and one statistic I found said that there were over 4,000 homes that were either pre-foreclosure or where in foreclosure.  While in California I noticed the same but also a more urgent need to get the State back on track.  Everyone was talking about the economic situation they face personally and that of California. 

For those in Iowa and other states in the mid-west, remember that we are doing pretty darn good compared to other states.  Even though they are having a tough time in some states I did see people determined to get through this.  We as a nation have survived tough times.  We will get through this.  BUT I have noticed a lot of finger pointing and laying the blame on someone else's shoulder.  We live in a country that is diverse in many ways.  I don't care if you are a Republican, Democrat, Buddhist, Christian, Muslin, Liberal, Conservative, Moderate, Young, Old or any other classification you can think of, we need to work together.  Agree that we don't always agree but work together to help this country and it's people get back on track. 

Be proactive, instead of reactive. 

One last thing is that in many areas it still is a good time to sell a home and it is definitely a very good time to buy.  Even in Reno, if you are a first time home-buyer there are some great buys.  There is always a positive if you look for it. 

Please stop by and read my article "The Art of Traveling.  Tips for a travel virgin."

Thanks for reading.