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How Apropos for Today!

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going directly to Heaven, we were all going the other way."

Charles Dickens-- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

 

Re-reading this 149 year old quote today, I realized that it is as appropriate today as it was in that historical novel. 

Think about the real estate market.  Think about the economy. 

 

Look at it from the perspective of a homebuyer.  Look at it from the perspective of seller. 

 

How about those losing their homes to foreclosure?  And those swooping up deals on properties for $200K less than they cost just 3 years ago?

 

How about the perspective of a REALTOR or a mortgage lender?

 

Classic books and classic quotes are classic for a reason.

 

Here's another classic quote: "May you live in interesting times."  This Chinese saying was as much a curse as it was a blessing.

 

No one would argue -- interesting times indeed.

Comments (10)

Jason Romrell
Business Attorney and Success Advisor - Los Angeles, CA

Perspective...that's what makes a huge difference.  Interesting post...thank you!

Sep 17, 2008 09:56 AM
Mary Bowen
Coldwell Banker United, Realtor - The Woodlands, TX
Real Estate At Its Finest!!!

I like that, a thinking agent. Its a timeless quote.

Sep 17, 2008 09:56 AM
Angela O'Brien
Tim O'Brien Homes - Waukesha, WI

Great post...  Jason is correct.  Perspective goes hand in hand with a winning attitude, and I was all about focusing on attitude today! 

Sep 17, 2008 10:11 AM
Melody Botting
Broker Associate PenFed Realty - San Antonio, TX
You Deserve The Best

I don't know if anyone has said it but I believe challenges breed creativity.  If it were easy anyone could do it!

Sep 17, 2008 11:01 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Brian - I agree that this quote is very timely although it is over 100 years old.  We are certainly living in a challenging period.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Sep 17, 2008 01:58 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Interesting is an understatement I could stand more mundane.

Sep 17, 2008 02:58 PM
Michael Sahlman
www.HomesForVIPs.com - Keller Williams Realty - Miami Beach, FL
e-PRO - Miami Beach Florida Luxury Homes

The old glass is half full or half empty. Easy to get discouraged in this market, but then again it depends on your Plan A, Plan B and your planning.

Sep 17, 2008 04:32 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I was thinking yesterday about how this compares to what my parents went through during the great depression.  And it doesn't even come close.  I'm keeping that in mind as I filter the news reports. 

Sep 18, 2008 03:25 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Brian, I love quotes and the classic ones live on from the generation they were said to the present day. I love your analogy of a buyer vs a seller in this market. The best of times the worst of times is so true, depending on how you are looking at the situation. I heard, Donald Trump again last night, he said now is the time to buy. Oh how I wish...

Sep 18, 2008 11:55 PM
Hope Goss
Ventura Property Shoppe - Ventura, CA
Ventura Real Estate

Maybe even more fitting during this very polarizing political season.  It's all about perspective - your perspective.

Sep 21, 2008 02:48 AM