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Thermodynamics, Real Estate, and Garden Theory.

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

Atomic ParticleWay back when, in a life far far away, I studied thermodynamics, which essentially is better understanding the properties of energy. The second law states that entropy that is not in equilibrium will increase over time. Entropy relates to the possibility of heat to do work or be useful. Without getting too much into Geek speak, this second law always amazed me, because it said in the universe it was more the norm for things to head toward chaos and non-equilibrium than to be orderly.

I have noted this same situation in real estate and life as well. Being a REALTOR, I am a natural free spirit, but I see the need to put things in order. Buyers, Sellers, Investors, properties, laws, Inspectors, Appraisers, Stagers, seasonality, the economy, all come at me in random fashion and want to create mass chaos. It is just natural. But why I love the REALTOR role is I get to play the maestro of the symphony and get all these ducks walking in single file and get the music to play in harmony. What a glorious task to pull off. How satisfying an accomplishment is that?

Garden

 

If you need another illustration of how order in life is not normal I pose the Garden Theory.

Think of a well tended garden. It would look something like the photo here. But how much work did it take to get the garden to be so beautiful?

It is not "natural" for all the tulips to be together and color coordinated with the daffodils. What happens, if the garden is left untended, unweeded, unwatered? Chaos. Dead plants, and not a pleasant environment.

So as you enjoy spring as it blooms again this year, think of all those in real estate and in life who "put it all together" and build something beautiful for the rest of us. They are life's gardeners and make the world for all of us just a little bit better.

Jennifer Steck
Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate
Gary, Isn't it true that some things that look so natural take a lot of work to get there. Lucky we all love to organize chaos!
Feb 10, 2008 07:03 AM
Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop
NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA
A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Gary, great analogies although the first one left my head hurting a little :-) I'll trust you on the thermodynamic stuff but relate completely to the garden analogy. There are so many aspects to what we do that if those details are not monitored competently, the consequences can be devestating, both emotionally and financially.

Colleen

Feb 10, 2008 08:53 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Jennifer: We make it look easy don't we?

Colleen: Sorry to hurt your head. Order from chaos is what we are the masters at. Leave that garden unattended for awhile and what a mess we have. Makes you wonder why anyone ever wants to do the FSBO route.

Feb 10, 2008 09:17 AM
Jan Wood
None - Gallatin, TN
Gary:  I just love in when those ducks line up... it's when you have to chase them that drives me crazy.  In fact, any chaos I can live without.  I love your analogies.  Great post.
Feb 10, 2008 10:02 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Jan: I need to research that ducks in a row one as I'm sure there's an interesting background there. Making order out of chaos is a gift I think. Teachers have that ability. They bring focus to allow the brain to have clarity and understanding. I take it for granted when its happening, but not everyone can make this little bit of magic happen. Glad you like the analogies. I was afraid with my thermodynamics studies I might scare some off.
Feb 10, 2008 10:22 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher
Ok, Gary, I had to read about the thermodynamics three times...maybe I've read too many posts today :)  But I got the rest of it!  And enjoyed it....what a gorgeous picture btw.
Feb 10, 2008 10:41 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Carole:  Don't you want to be the life of the party and talk about entropy? Just say it means the world moves naturally toward chaos. Hey, ask any young Mom with multiple kids, and they know this to be true! No more thermo discussion I promise.
Feb 10, 2008 10:46 AM
Cynthia Tilghman, RealtorĀ® Onslow County NC Home Specialist
Kingsbridge Realty, Inc - Hubert, NC
Hi Gary,
Most things require organization and order to work well and look nice.  Making is look easy is a talent.
Feb 10, 2008 11:12 AM
Paul Viau
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services
Gary - I think Stephen Hawkings had something to do with chaos And the universe. Your right . Real Estate has its own way of becoming chaotic. We can only hope to make the the process somewhat smooth or our clients.
Feb 10, 2008 11:18 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Cynthia: You are absolutely correct. Think of a winning team. They have structure, roles, a game plan, knowledge, and then they go out and execute. I like your thought that making it look easy is a talent. That talent is both gifted and a result of a lot of hard work too.
Feb 10, 2008 11:18 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Paul: You are right. Stephen Hawking who is disabled by ALS, wrote the book, "A Brief History of Time" where he discusses the universe including black holes. Realtors smooth out the bumps in the road.
Feb 10, 2008 11:24 AM
Arina Hanciulescu
RealtyPros - Las Vegas, NV
RealtyPros
Gary, It just hit me when you sayed : "the universe it was more the norm for things to head toward chaos and non-equilibrium than to be orderly". But I have to add that I believe that what makes this universe so stunningly beautiful is just the non-equilibrium of all. The natural scenery (where human hand did not touch or arrange the spontaneous chaos) is as well breath talking as the well tended garden.
Feb 10, 2008 12:43 PM
Don Wixom
RE/MAX Executives Nampa, ID - Nampa, ID
"Looking out for your next move..."tm
Gary, 'tis so true...  Anything left undone will find it's way to chaos!  I love the story of the preacher who visited the old lady and her beautiful garden: "My, what a fine job you and God have done with this beautiful garden", he said.  She said, "You should have seen it when God had it all by himself!"
Feb 10, 2008 12:44 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Arina: You are right that chaos in the universe can be beautiful too. Think of galaxies and nubulae. The Grand Canyon was etched randomly over time and it is gorgeous. Lots of examples of beauty from spontaneous chaos too. But man made chaos looks too often like crumpled paper along the highway.

Don: Don't mess with little old ladies!

Feb 10, 2008 01:18 PM
John Hurbon
Homesmart International Tucson,AZ - Benson, AZ

Thanks for your enthusiastic and clever posts.

Gary,

Have you ever read the book about how to garden your mind?

"As A Man Thinketh"  by James Allen ?

John Douglas Hurbon

Tierra Antigua

Benson horse property sales

Feb 13, 2008 03:28 PM