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A Badge of Courage in 2009

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors

One of the wonders of life is living through challenging times. In my own life the times of plenty and success have gone by like a blurr. Each and every year of prosperity virtually indistinguishable from one another.

Yet I can remember the years of hardships and adversity as if they were yesterday. Even in family gatherings more often than not those trying times will make for more reminiscence than the trips abroad.

The current troubling times of our country will make you stronger and closer to those who you know and love. The trials and tribulations that you go through yesterday, today, and tomorrow will be fodder for future reminisces at your family gatherings.

As I look back over my own trials of the past, even in those darkest days there was always something that stood out as an achievement. A sort of badge or courage in the dimmest of light.

Like back in 1986 when the unemployment rate in my small town became so severe that people were unable to pay there bills. I owned a metal fabrication shop at the time and a client who could not pay had to much pride to skip out. He paid his bill with a winters worth of firewood, a mini motor bike for my 10 year old son, and small aluminum fishing boat with a 7hp outboard motor that my wife and I enjoyed for many summers at the lake.

In the bleakest of times there are always opportunities. In years to come will you look back and say we bought our home in 2009? Let this be your year of opportunity. Create a memory today.

Yesterday I had just one of many memorable momentsas I passed the keys to a Young Fellow to his new home. Of course this home was built in 1908 but it was new to him and all his. I could see the pride of new ownership and promise in his eyes. I wish for all of you that same feeling.

To check out other Homes_Sold_by_Herb_Hamilton_in_Portland_Oregon  please take a look at this really cool map. Zoom in or change the view . House_hunt_Portland where your next home will find you! 

Have a wonderful and prosperous memory filled 2009.

 

 

Curt Canada
Keller Williams-Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Real Estate - Career Coach

If wewere to all reflect upon our lives, especially if we're nearing fiftyish then there are memorable moments when we only possessed part of the puzzle. The puzzle called life continues to evolve and for the most part for the better. I do like the story of the young man buying his first house ,sort of a continuing chapter in the life of that house! Keep sharing your stories because someone is reading them!

Best wishes for you in this exciting year and time in our history! May God Continue to Bless you!

Feb 14, 2009 12:22 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Morning Herb,  Very well written post.  Sometimes it requires a little more effort to see the many blessings in our lives !

Feb 14, 2009 12:25 AM
R. Greg Osmond
Sutton Group-Capital Realty Ltd. - St Johns, NL
MBA, Red Maple Realty

Hi Herb,

Nice to see you recount the blessings in your life.  We all have things we can be thankful for even when we are going through the tough times.  And when we think we are the only ones going through the hardship, we only need to look around with the slightest turn of head and we will see someone else whose circumstances are not as fair as our own.  Good Selling!

Feb 14, 2009 12:26 AM
Kelly Young
The Platinum Group Realtors - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Real Estate ~ 719-226-0126

Herb, this is so true.  I think hard times give us the opportunity to not only find and own our values but also reach out and truly touch others!  Great post.

Feb 14, 2009 12:42 AM
Brent Johnson
Chase International South Tahoe Realty - South Lake Tahoe, CA

You are right, tough times do bring loved ones closer. I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of people that are going to be kicking them selves in 5 years saying that "I should have bought that house in 2009 when it was this much!."

Feb 14, 2009 12:44 AM
Georgia Endiott
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignature.com - Saint Louis, MO
Sold on City Living - Working and Living in Saint Louis

Herb,

It is refreshing to hear such true thoughts.  A house can be so much more than a stack of wood.  It is a place where memories are made and love of family is the most important thing there is especially in these difficult times.

Feb 14, 2009 12:50 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

I really your blog today, it's strikes a proud, happy cord with me. It is "the American dream" to own a home and it is a good feeling to see people achieve their dream. Yes,.. as a Realtor we are a part of it, first hand experience, I love what I do and it shows!

 

Patricia Aulson/  Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Feb 14, 2009 12:56 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Curt,

Thank you for that comment. I wrote this post this morning in less than 10 minutes. The words seemed to flow. As I now read back over the post and your comment I am pleased at the results.

Thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous 2009.

Feb 14, 2009 01:27 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Bill,

Every cloud has Siilver Lining. It is just harder to see those Silver Linings while in the moment.

Feb 14, 2009 01:29 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Greg,

It is so easy to get caught up in the adversitys of life. Especially in todays 24/7 news marathon. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.

Feb 14, 2009 01:30 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Kelly,

It is so true. I have said it many times before that all though it might be fun for a while It soon would be a boring life if at any time at all you wanted something you had just to ask to make it happen.

Feb 14, 2009 01:32 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Brent,

Perhaps this might make the beginings of a great advertising campaign. To look back over the years at when others bought during the low as compared to those who bought at the height of the market?

Feb 14, 2009 01:36 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Georgia,

What a wonderful title that could make for a blog or an advertisement! "A house can be so much more than a stack of wood " May I use it?

Feb 14, 2009 01:38 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Patricia,

Some 21 plus years ago when I began selling real estate I remember an instance on perhaps my very first property tour.

The house was a total disaster. Not a fixer just very unkept. Literally there were only trails through the home and boxes stacked high to the ceilings every where else.

After exiting the home I recall making an adverse comment about the interior condition.

My Broker spelled out straight for me. " Every Home you go into Herb is that persons Castle! They may not live in the conditions that you are used to but it is the way they live. Do not forget that! "

I never have forgotten that very simple message. Indeed I have found that no matter the condition of the home there is always a buyer for it. They may even be comfortable in its condition and be the cause that makes them buy the home.

Feb 14, 2009 01:44 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I've been through a lot of challenges in my life and I do think that we sometimes forget that this is not the worst of times either for ourselves or our country.  We still have a lot to be thankful for and need to remember that every day.

Feb 14, 2009 02:02 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Cindy,

Thanks for stopping by. I am sure that in the bleakest of times of past generations there were those who thought all was lost and those who saw a bright and shining future.

I guess I am just a Glass is 1/2 full type of guy.

Feb 14, 2009 03:02 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

The current times may help us to be less materialistic - giving gifts of time and caring instead of spending money. You're right about the memories.

Feb 14, 2009 06:25 AM
Herb Hamilton
RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors - Portland, OR
Real Estate Broker ,CDPE, Downtown Portland

Sharon,

Thanks for stopping by. Giving gifts has almost become an excuse for not willing to share the time.

Feb 14, 2009 02:43 PM