Politics aside, I have been hoping this year would be better than last year for quite some time. Thankfully, I can tell you already this year is better than I expected just a few months ago. Keeping a positive attitude and expecting the best always helps, but seeing more contracts and closings this month at almost the mid-point than a couple of the previousl months combined proves that it is truly happening locally just as I had hoped, and even better.
I am posting this only to encourage those who are still wondering if there is enough activity going on in the real estate market yet this year to dare hope that the market is turning around. I would have to say it is starting to get better, in my humble opinion.
You may think I am nuts but that is why I put this picture up. A few months ago my grand-daughter and I were road hunting for Grandma's favorite fudge ingredient to prepare for the holiday goodies we love. We were able to round up over a hundred black walnuts we found along the side of the road while driving through the local hollers. So, after spending a couple of long afternoon trying to husk them and getting very stained hands, we decided after talking to my brother and dad, to let them just sit a couple months and rot the husk off naturally.
Sometimes you can work and work and not get anything but tired with very dirty hands. That can make you stop and ponder the situation awhile. Later you go back and find that things have progressed right along at their normal pace without your help and are now ready for the harvest. You see, after the husk has turned black and the hulling worms have done their job, you can just knock that junk off them, crack the shell and get the meat. It seems so easy when you do it right. Duh! Naturally, getting all the prep work done is the KEY! You can't harvest what you haven't earned. So don't go nuts, just keep on working and waiting, you will eventually get to harvest!
Stephen Mattison, ABR e-Pro
Souvenir Realty, Inc.
Office: (417)357-8326
Cell: (417) 350-9743
Steve, I hope this note finds you doing fine in 2009. You have made excellent points:-). Sounds a bit like a remake of Ecclesiastes. or,
Suzi, you are the cutest and so wise too! I may be nuts but I know smart when I see it:)
Steve: That was cute! I remember doing that as a child and I can vouch for the staining of the hands... It was still worth it: the walnuts were delicious!
Cute analogy! Good memories...
Mirela, you just reminded me, my grand-daughter went to school and most of the people in her class had stained hands worse than here, lol, came home a lot happier than expected. Wife just made me some banana bread with some of the meats and talk about gooooooooooooooooooooodddd!!!!
Great Analogy Steve! - Boy I definitely felt this way my first year in business. It took 10 months to close my first sale, but then 3 more sales followed that same week alone. So tending that garden without worrying up when the crop will appear is the key. Having faith in the end result is so important. Because there are times we all question our faith.
Great post Steve! Not only is it filled with sage advice, but now I know what to do with all the black walnuts in my yard! Thanks!
Jessica, you know that is what I learned from my many farmer family members, work and wait:)
Barbara, get a good nutcracker or a hammer and anvil, those things are TOUGH!!!