We Have Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself!

I don't know about you, but, that sentiment expressed in the 40's by F.D.R. sure has been circling around my thoughts lately.   I mean I see otherwise rational and business minded people running around talking to me about the collapse of our monetary system, the death of real estate as a viable profession; the unending national debt, and I get thinking--no, REACTING.   Internally I feel myself start to become angry.  Why?  Well, for a variety of reasons.

• That thinking presses in on my otherwise resilient outlook and starts to form like a grey cloud.
• I dislike those that stir up others into a survivalist mentality that closes off any room for discussion.
• It is reminiscent of many cult like mantras that often lead good people down a dark path.
• I just get very resentful that someone else is dictating my customer's landscape.
• I hate untruths.

There, that's it.  I am getting angry now. 

There are many good arguments to refute this type of thinking and these are rooted in history not trend or philosophy.

• Business, especially real estate has ALWAYS been cyclical.
• There are many excellent opportunities right now for a wise consumer.
• Realtors that are experienced have knowledge and knowledge always trumps trends.  Would you want to be your own dentist?
• In my area of the country there has been some slippage, some correction, but, not wholesale anarchy and homes are still selling for a fair price.
• Many have come to accept the abnormal (spike in house prices and rapid sales) as normal and therefore reject a return to more moderate business.
• Just as a good storm churns the waters and clears the beaches, this financial storm is clearing the business landscape of many unscrupulous and/or unrealistic practices.
• Most importantly, I see anecdotally, a return to a value based society instead of a high speed, high powered "ME" society.  Reason is returning. 
• I see appreciation and gratitude for things more basic is returning.  The principle of  parsimony, "less is more" seems to be emerging.

So, peers, consumers, and the public in general need to stop and think and ask themselves; "Is this really as exaggerated as the media is broadcasting or are these times perhaps just a correction back to a more grounded way of doing business?"

I firmly believe that it is the latter.