Yes, we are in troubled financial times based on our own selfish greed. The country as a whole needs to get back on kilter to figure out that it is the work of our hands and our wise choices that create wealth, and that debt is a thief! (Indebted servitude is B-A-D...whether that is to a credit card or you are a share cropper!)
We really need to redefine what 'rich' means, and reprogram the Nation to understand that, eventually, ALL debt has a consequence. I simply don't think that the people of this great nation remember that DEBT is a 'promise' to pay..."I will give you $2 tomorrow for a hamburger today" syndrome...well, guess what?? Tomorrow you will find yourself just as hungry...but now in debt for yesterday's decisions! Always hungry...always owing MORE. We can start with the young people we know who have been inundated from DAY ONE with a daily onslaught of marketing LIES that only tell 1/2 of the story. (SURE!!! You can have the hamburger...and while you are at it...why don't you have 2!!!)
But, there is another side to all of the BAD news...there are a whole lot of Americans who have lived within their means during the lending orgy of the past few years. There are a whole lot of Americans in positive equity positions. These folks are in a powerful position and may not know it. They are in a unique position to capitalize on their wise decisions with new wise decisions.
The smart RE agent, who truly CARES for the clients they have, will be sending information to their client base in this position, to help them see the possibilites...and choices they have. I do not mean encouraging our clients to cash out to saddle themselves with more debt for a bigger home they do not want or need...NO WAY! That would not be taking the Live good. Be happy. approach...I simply mean it is a great time to move up (if you had plans or a need to do so) and maintain a similar mortgage situation for those lucky enough to be in that WISE position.
Helping folks make the most of the $$'s they already put toward their housing costs is the JOB we have. I encourage my fellow Realtors to help their WISE clients benefit from the unique market we are in.
While, yes, the grasshoppers will get what they have earned (nothing)...the ants will rule the day.
The glass is 1/2 FULL for many, many, many home owners out there. (Can I put anymore parables in this post??? Probably!!!)
Live good. Be happy. Be outside the 'doom and gloom' box!
-Mimi
Mimi Osterdahl / The Muljat Group Realtors / Bellingham, Washington / www.LiveGoodBeHappy.com
2008 President, Northwest Washington Women's Council of Realtors
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