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"A Thing Long Expected..."

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with NextHome Experience 17050

"A thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes" - Mark Twain

Mr. Twain's words sum up, for me anyway, exactly what we've experienced over the last two years in my local real estate world.

For months we were barraged with media reports and Chicken Little articles telling us the real estate bubble was going to burst and that the sky market would soon be falling. But many of us thought it couldn't happen to us. Our markets were going strong, houses were selling, life was good..... but deep down, I think we knew the wave we were riding would have to crash some day.  

The fallout has been deep and wide; families displaced due to foreclosure, career Realtors no longer able to make ends meet from a profession they love, title company lay-offs, contractors, builders, deep equity losses...I could go on.

As we end 2008 I am grateful to not only have survived but to have adapted. I have made changes and have become stronger--ultimately finishing 2008 ahead in many ways.

And so I return to Mark Twain and acknowledge the truth of his words; as much as it was predicted, even expected...while we've been living it, it's definitely felt like one big, unhappy surprise

Tomorrow's another day and Thursday brings a whole new year.

Happy New Year & Best Wishes for a 2009 filled with nothing but the happiest of surprises!

 

Colleen Fischesser is the Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Select in Maple Valley, WA. She has been successfully selling and marketing properties all over South King & North Pierce counties since 1990 but specializes in the Maple Valley Washington area. .She may be contacted directly at: 425-432-5400

Copyright 2008, All Rights Reserved Colleen Fischesser

 

 

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 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Colleen Fischesser REMAX

 Serving the beautiful Pacific Northwest Since 1990!

 

Colleen M. Fischesser, Managing Broker

RE/MAX Advantage, L.C.

Serving Seattle and the Chelan Valley

206-491-3819  (Cell/Text Seattle)

509-699-1611 (Cell/Text Chelan)

 

 www.ColleenFish.com

www.ChelanPropertyShop.com

www.NWPropertyShop.com 

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

This is a personal blog based on my opinion and experience in the real estate industry. All content is provided for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal, financial or tax advice. Laws, industry practice standards and procedures vary by state. Readers are advised to contact appropriate third parties for professional advice when needed. Any questions please let me know!

 

Comments (18)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Colleen, that Mark Twain really knew what he was talking about!

Dec 29, 2008 12:59 PM
Melina Tomson
Tomson Burnham, llc Licensed in the State of Oregon - Salem, OR
Principal Broker/Owner, M.S.

That is a fabulous quote and I agree that is completely summarizes what has happened in our economy in that past couple of years.

Dec 29, 2008 01:25 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Great Quote...we need to adapt or become extinct!  Congrats on doing the right things!

Dec 29, 2008 01:27 PM
Justin Ukaoma
Vizion KC - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate Investments

There are so many great Mark Twain quotes.  I think somone should start putting them on shirts. Glad to see that you're adapting to the changing market.  Many of us felt the same in Kansas City like the downturn would not effect us.  Things changed.  The only reason were still here is because we adapted.

Dec 29, 2008 01:34 PM
Pat Tasker
Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI
Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

I just had an agent stop and visit my open house yesterday, and she said when it does turn around it will be gangbusters!  That made me smile, and be hopeful....I can't wait!

Congrats to all of us who have survived, those who have hung on , and a big cheer for many who had their best year ever!

Dec 29, 2008 01:44 PM
Eileen Hsu
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Hey, only strong will survive! I am a very strong and tough one, I am sure you are a tough one too! All the best with prosperous 2009!!!

Dec 29, 2008 04:24 PM
Jesse Clifton
Jesse Clifton & Associates - Fairbanks, AK

Colleen, this has been a challenging year.  When the rest of the country was crashing we were still riding high... When it finally hit, it did so with a vengeance.  We've seen massive changes this year and I expect more next year.  The good news though, is that we're still standing... facing the storm... and we will prosper!  Here's to us all having a stellar 2009!

Dec 29, 2008 07:01 PM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker

Colleen, if it had not been for adapting by embracing blogging and getting information out to the consumer, I don't know that I would have survived 2008.  I count myself lucky that I'm not in the number of agents who can't hang on any longer and I'm looking forward to making 2009 even better.  Happy New Year!

Dec 30, 2008 02:22 AM
Anita Beach
RE/MAX Select Real Estate - Maple Valley, WA
Real Estate Assistant - Maple Valley, WA

Colleen this is a great blog and put so very well. I'm glad that I'm open to change and that you have helped me see that and offered motivation when I needed it. I'm planning on "bouncing" in the New Year and then some!

 

Dec 30, 2008 03:16 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL

Colleen - Much has changed for me over the past 12 months, how I see the future of real estate is just one of the things.  I'm looking forward to a prosperous new year and can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us all.

Dec 30, 2008 08:44 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Colleen, along with Mark Twain's quote comes the "perception" of what we see or feel we receive. I know that so many doors are closing but it just opens many others! I love your attitude!

Later in the rain~Deb

Dec 30, 2008 09:13 AM
Gabrielle Nemes
RE/MAX Realty South - Tumwater, WA
206.300.8421, S King & Pierce County RE Advocate

And what a GREAT mentor you are! Thanks for adapting and pushing the rest of us to do so too!! You're the best!

Dec 30, 2008 10:39 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Colleen, let's tune out all the news media this year and focus on taking care of business.  I've changed so much of my business plan and now see 2009 as a great challenge.  Have a great  2009.

Dec 30, 2008 01:07 PM
Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL

Happy New Year! 2008 was a tough one in many ways...so here's to new beginnings!

Jan 01, 2009 12:46 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Colleen, what a great quote from Mark Twain. I found your statement even better "...I have survived..and adapted..." Have a happy and prosperous New Year.

Jan 01, 2009 05:20 PM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Colleen, I hope we all move on from a survivor mode in the housing market, hit the bottom, and then it is on again upward out of the down cycle. May you enjoy a very prosperous and Happy New Year!!

Jan 02, 2009 12:43 AM
Bruce & Mary Smith
Savannah Lakes Homes - McCormick, SC
REALTORS, Savannah Lakes Village McCormick SC

Colleen - If we listened to the news and believed everything we hear, most of us would have dug a hole and climbed into it long ago!  We are optimistic for 2009 that home sales will recover and that the market will be stronger than every before.  It will be different - we know that!  In the meantime, we just keep on keeping on!  Good luck to you in 2009!

Jan 02, 2009 12:57 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Adaption is key. Agents who can't or won't adapt to the market are those whose careers bite the dust.

Elizabeth Weintraub Land Park Real Estate Agent in Sacramento

Jan 04, 2009 03:09 AM