My name is Russ Ravary and I am a Realtor and mortgage loan officer in Southeastern Michigan.  I am an proud Member of Active Rain.

I wanted to put my ideologies out there.

I am a person that thinks all of us are better off realizing that each of us are lucky, lucky for being born and live in the US, for having good family friends, for having physical abilities to hear, to see, to walk, and talk.  Each day we live, work, and enjoy life is a gift.  A gift that we need to take advantage of, enjoy, and make the world a little better place by simple things we can do. Like smiling, being courteous, being nice, helping people (as simple as opening a door).  It does not have to be a huge act (like giving $5000 or giving a kidney).  Little acts add up to big ones. 

 I am a realist.  The real estate market is bad, the economy is faltering, and the media is right for reporting it.  Consumers, clients need to be aware of what is going on.  If a seller doesn't know the market is bad, then it is a huge hurdle to set the correct home price.  An informed buyer and seller are our best clients.  Sure sometimes it comes across as negative, or pessimism.  But I will be the first to shout from the rooftops "Don't sell your home unless you have to".  Another I would like to shout is "Don't buy until your home is sold" unless you can afford two mortgage payments for up to a year and a half.  On the positive side it is a great time to buy for clients with the low prices, low interest rates, and a variety of homes to chose from.

Sure the economy is bad across the country but all of us can make it.  We may have to make some sacrifices. 

Some of the things we may have to do are:

We have to cut back spending, (maybe only buying if we can pay cash) We may have to admit to our friends that we can't afford it.  We may have to work harder, and do things that we didn't do before.  We may even have to start over financially.    

The key through of all of this is that YOU and I CAN DO IT.  We can make it through this, we can enjoy life, we can enjoy this day.  Remember what is most important in life itself.  Sure we have to work and pay for how we live.  But we work to play, we work to enjoy life, we work to enjoy family and friends.  We can sit back and complain and do nothing.  But take action, make a plan.  Whether it is starting over because of foreclosure, or losing a job.  Or hanging on.  Do something positive to get your life back on track.  Ask your friends and family for help and to help you change.

It is a tough time, but the people that have positive thinking, positive attitude, and take action to make their life better will be the ones that come out of this the best.  Take action to survive.  May this year be a good one for you and your family.  Russ Ravary