"The Unforgiven" - Or How to Sink a House with a Boat!

Recently a real estate agent was lamenting about a couple "For Sale" signs on a home in her community. It had previously been a well-kept property, but now appeared a little more ragged around the edges.

A real estate "For Sale" sign was hanging from the traditional post planted on the front lawn. But a smaller sign hung around the neck (or bow) of "The Unforgiven" - a large boat, moored in the driveway.

Curious about the property, the agent searched the MLS for the listing, while checking price, amenities, condition, and financing terms. It was noted, the home had a pool in the backyard, and an updated kitchen. The listing also had something extra - It was listed as a "short-sale."

Clearly this listing is just one of many acting as an illustration, of how we arrived here - from there. During the boom years of housing, many folks witnessed home values rise dramatically. Homeowners were taking out equity, and plunging funds into other amenities - a pool, kitchen upgrades, vacations. And one homeowner even acquired a boat, named "The Unforgiven."

In recent months, we have come to realize, that not only has Wall Street been exhibiting drunkenness, but Main Street has too. We can only hope the hangover won't be long and protracted.

Both our presidential candidates chant a mantra of CHANGE. Change can be good, but change is only raw energy. Whether it is manifested into good or bad, depends on those with the power, and the capacity, to harness it, to move us forward in a positive way.

Perhaps change will have us going back to solid basics - and certainly that can't be a bad thing.