Warren Schutt

It all started when one resident of the Bethel Convalescence Home let the staff know that riding in a hot air balloon was on his bucket list. A call to RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate and a hot air balloon event was scheduled.

What a pleasure to see all of the residents sitting outside the facility, on a beautiful sunny day, watching the RE/MAX balloon being spread out and inflated.

And then the excitement really started - as more than 50 residents, most in wheel chairs each had their moment in the air. The process of lifting each resident out of their wheel chair, into a chair placed carefully in the balloon, a 4 minute ride into the air up and down and then a lift back into their wheel chair. And then a small glass of champagne to celebrate an exhilarating moment of freedom! The smiles on resident's face were the reward for all the volunteers who helped the event happen.

So balloons are not just for kids - we had definite proof yesterday!

It once again made me proud to be a RE/MAX agent who provides service to the community - far beyond the normal tasks of real estate.

The American Dream for me encompasses many things - but I do remember many years ago, the opportunity of homeownership was highest on that list.

When I purchased my first home in 1976 - I was told that house prices never go down. Then in 1982 and 1983 interest rates reached 19% - the few buyers who could purchase were generally transferees with financing subsidized by their corporation. Prices really didn't fall too steeply - it was just that few people could afford to buy a home and it meant that very few people could sell.

Then starting in 1984, interest rates came down, the opportunity and demand for homeownership rose dramatically and so did prices. And the myth returned that house prices would only go up. The dream returned as the prices for homes rose until 1988 when they peaked.

House prices took a tremendous drop. In my market area, it wasn't until 1998, that prices returned to where they were 10 years prior. And of course the next boom arrived.

Now we've passed that boom and we're witnessing the aftermath of those many years of easy money, over demand and great inflation in the pricing of houses. The situation this time is even more disastrous with foreclosures in neighborhoods you would have never thought and an untold number of homeowners upside down in their mortgages. Lots of homes are vacant and many houses are for sale.

The promise of homeownership for many folks has become a hope - a hope of finding assistance to keep their house. Was the American dream an illusion?

Perhaps the real problem was the delusion - the delusion of entitlement ... the expectation that housing prices would only go up and a house was an investment. Buy a house, live there a few years; sell it at a profit and move up to a bigger better house. And better yet buy several houses and make even more money. The delusion is this premise treats a house as a material thing, an investment and a vehicle of monetary value.

If only we could find the basis of our personal values in other ways. Then a house could once again be a home; a home that could be a great place to live the dream.

Alas, we have been here before. If only the next time around we can remember that the American Dream is better understand as the opportunity to have a home to live in, make a life in and be satisfied in.

If more people believed that, they wouldn't be walking away from their houses and giving them back to the bank. They just might be fighting to keep their homes.

I distributed an article to my sphere of influence entitled BEST TIME TO SELL about 6 years ago. Back then the information made sense. Today what can we say?

Back then I said: "During September, October and November, you will find more homeowners who are being transferred. They will list their homes to be sold and be eager to find new ones. Again, there may be fewer buyers, but those who are looking are serious."

And of course, I wrote about each of the other time periods with encouragement and the advice that: "Regardless of when you decide to sell, each time of the year has its ups and downs. You will most likely make your decision based on how you and your family are best served, and by your particular circumstances."

The real truth was in the conclusion of the article: "Remember, too, that the market will always shift to the seller's advantage when the economy is good and interest rates are down, regardless of the time of year."

And to the seller today, who doesn't have any advantages, the advice is still the same: "You will most likely make your decision based on how you and your family are best served, and by your particular circumstances."

The advice we need to give today is to the buyers - the economy is bad, interest rates are down and you would be foolish to not take advantage of such a great buyer's market. It's an opportunity that we haven't seen in 5-10 years.

SO speak with confidence in the knowledge that markets do shift. And to the buyer who doesn't own a home, he/she /they will be best be served by buying now because this just may be the BEST TIME TO BUY for many seasons to come.

In part 1 I spoke of my valued friendship with Kyung.

Since the time we met, Kyung has introduced me to more than a dozen other Korean families who have come to the United States. Each family has a solid education, good job prospects, strong financial resources, great desire and motivation, but no credit history. This is not the ideal formula for a successful rental or purchase experience.

If that was not enough, a few understood little or no English. Fortunately, Kyung often accompanied me and was my translator when necessary.

When I was introduced as "his first American friend" and someone they could trust; he made my task easy. With Kyung's introduction, I simply needed to be a calm, gentle teacher / realtor, who was observant, respectful and ready to ask responsible questions and then shutting up to listen, as I clarified that we understood each other.

I have been told that one of positive things I do is to speak slowly; but I do know that is not the secret to my success. I know I develop relationships by listening, not making assumptions, clarifying that I understand the questions and making sure I am understood. In this way I provide the respect that my clients want and deserve.

About three weeks after helping one of my new Korean clients purchase their home, I was invited dinner. I was the only American born guest with more than 2 dozen of their family members. I ate some foods that I didn't quite know what I was eating. On occasion they spoke to each other in a language I didn't understand. In all we enjoyed each other's company. I was glad that my relationship with this family as clients has crossed the line to be one of friends. And whatever business might develop is simply a bonus.