Remember last year when every news report seemed to point the finger at those "irresponsible" homeowners who'd taken out a mortgage they "didn't deserve"?!?  What?? Those prices were the admission ticket to homebuying then, and everyone I worked with bought at the lowest price they could. So if our Depression continues and a loaf of bread goes up to $10, will we be "irresponsible" for buying at that price?

When I started in RE 11 years ago, I admit that I did judge those in financial trouble. Now with a little seasoning, I have seen so many different scenarios of financial distress, and have still yet to meet someone who maliciously, purposely tried to scam the system. Yet I just had coffee with an agent who was very critical of anyone doing a short sale, no matter what they reason. What a mixed message society we live in. It's fine and dandy for the banks to dump their toxic assets that are a strain and no longer make economic sense (and get government funding to do so), but when it comes to the little guy, it's not OK in many circles.

I'm hoping we can move beyond all this condemnation and heal our economy from the inside out.