Yes... I said it...ALL-OUT ASSAULT. That is what I have come to call the current times for those of us with a serious interest in maintaining a career in the real estate profession!
I use that word because it is the one that "feels" best to me. As a retired United States Marine, I know the feeling of having "incoming" hostile activity. And we professionals have been holding this line for years. I know that some of it was self-induced by those who were in-and-now out of our profession collecting commissions and acting in manners that may have not been in the best interest of our now sour clients-to be. So, we will acknowledge that and move on from there.
Initially, our government gave a spurious attempt to "help" by bailing out a large number of entities across several financial sectors. Although they claimed the intent was to have the benefits trickle down to the "little guys / average consumer," their attempt had no requirement for it to do so. As such, it really has not! Couple that with the banks slow paced and seemingly unwilling desire to actually help us to help our clients. Again...assault comes to mind.
Even after they are repaying their bailouts, they are not as helpful as they or the government once led us to believe they would be. Too many people are still losing homes, having their credit and financial future ruined. Meanwhile, those same "cats" that were giving us all the big "Puss in boots" puffy eyes, now are swimming in their abundance of record setting flows of milk and money. And still, they have tightened the noose on our clients and in turn on us.
The unwitting (or maybe they know bad news sells better than good news) "allies" in this debacle is the media; Newspapers, Magazines, Analysts, Bloggers, ...whatever. They all seem fixated on the trepidity of the situation which we find ourselves in. Even when situations like the recent stock fall are actually a good sign for home buyers, and investors, or anyone seeking to obtain what we broker...a real, tangible, and lasting physical asset (forget cash-flow for a sec). Property and homes have been passed down for centuries, handed over again-and-again; longer than any business or intangible entity. Yet, we only hear about fear and caution.
I would just ...for a few months... love to hear reporting and stories of encouragement on how great of a time it is to buy and to own real property. I want some brave media distributors to break away from the fear and confusion mentality. Give people the "hope and optimism" view that they now need. If this were to happen, or become the norm, everyone from the average Joe to the plumped up fat cats would begin to release their death grip on the money and willingness to horde. Then we would start again to be a flourishing economic machine instead of the silly entity whose managers are so busy bickering, they cause more damage upholding "principles" instead of caring for those people whose best interest is supposed to be served by those principles.
Survive we will, survive we should... for ourselves, and our worthy clients. Sometimes, a good defense is the best resolution. Now, it's time we do this the Marine Corps way...Locate, close with, and destroy the enemy (FEAR) and remain healthy, proud, prosperous and secure!
Thomas S Moore III
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