Life happens, sifts like hour glass sand.  As real estate brokers, we are on the front line of what happens to property when the owners die, when estates need settling, when divorce hits, when fire happens, when alcohol takes away the ability to keep mortgage payments current.  We see the pathos and reality of live and its our job to make the most of the property condition we have to work with.  But it is hard for your life not to get involved when you tour a repo where all the kids things were left and everyone moved on.  You see the school third grade pictures of youngsters, the home made christmas decorations and your heart goes out to the kids.  They deserve more..not to lose a home, to have to be shuffled, to have to leave friends and school they were comfortable with.  Parents that have uncertain day to day locations make them grow into what? Other homes you see youngsters raising parents and in small town rural Maine, luckily the community is helping rear these kids. Meeting their needs.  Doing more to take up the slack. Your heart gets involved. Sure you have to be tough skinned as a real estate broker / business person but you are tender hearted and love kids. Actually, you are one underneath the tie and wool long winter dress coat right? Ever have real estate that you tour to list and price and it hits you?  It leaves and impression because you do not have naturally pointed ears and are not half or full Vulcan free of emotion like Spock?  It is our job to make the most with the materials and crayons we have to work with.  Take this handyman special home....needs work. Was log, then lets add an upstair and dormer while drinking a thirty pack happened.  As Maine real estate brokers...we love a challenge and always, always see the potential!