One Transaction Away From Poverty

The deals are out there, but boy this market is tough. And like all performance based industries, the pain is not equally shared amongst the members. In speaking with other agents you can almost feel the pain in their voice.

"I sure hope this deal closes", "if I can only close this deal everything will be okay", "I was planning on buying my familiy's Christmas with this commission".

Over the past couple of months I have heard these statements and several others that were nor fit to print. There is a sense of dread that I have not picked up on in the past. Do I think the market is getting worse? Not really, I think people are just getting tired of waiting on the recovery.

Like family members waiting on the dock for an over due ship, the collective hope fades as time passes. Many of these agents will have to seek refuge in other disciplines. For some the real estate roller coaster ride will soon come to a halt.

Those of us who do ride out the storm will not do so unscathed. My free spending days of the past have taken a far more conservative twist. If I don't have cash to buy something, it don't get bought. Frankly I will probably be one of those crazy old people who bury money in mayonnaise jars in my backyard. Just like my grandparents did after living through the Great Depression!