patrick.net

I agree. The advice was shameful and destructive. I starting blogging in 2005 about the bubble and warning anyone who would listen.

NAR and CAR don't exist to benefit the public, they exist to benefit their members. But their indefensible actions have only destroyed any credibility that we members have.

All I can say is that we aren't all shills. There are a few good ones on these boards and others. Don't have the player, hate the game.

APOCALYPSEFUCK is Shostakovich says

Your wife should leave you for a man.

Wouldn't that be "for a real man?" although "for a man" is also spot on.

You also forgot, "A home is the most important investment you'll ever make." Shame on you.

I swear apocalypseF is SuferX reincarnate. Pure genius.

Search "surfer-x" and find some of his old classics. Similar sensibility and humor. I aspired to be as direct and to the point as X. Usually quite unsuccessfully so.

SurferX or Sir Fur of Central Coast?

Slashing & Burning aside

It's a shame Realtors are at the forefront of home sales and therefore so convenient to satisfy the human thirst to pin blame. As in EVERY business and gubmint, Some people are heartless, greedy bastards/biotches, who may even participate in Schadenfreude.
But Many Professionals enjoy the respect from offering sound advise.
My personal experience; In the early 80s when I first considered leaving
"The Business" all Sellers were somehow convinced that IBM was going to buy their precious 1 or 2 acres for a Quarter of a million. It did not matter whether they had 25 acres or 2.5 acres, they just liked the sound of "$250.000".

It is a shame emotions can influence our intellect.
Humans believe Obesity is a gene problem and homosexuality is a choice.
You can choose to go to a gym and work off a few pounds, but you can't go to a gym and work off a little gay. It is just what we WANT to believe.

Bleh, the realtor bashing theme is getting kinda tired.

Greg, your advice was pretty sound this year, and it was sound back in 2009 when we met you at the time we short sold our home to a couple that you represented. My wife and I still appreciate how you helped us out with some problems that our own flailing agent couldn't sort out.

Truth be told, no one knows where anything is going to be in 1, 5, 10, 20 years, nor how fast it will get there and how. As long as you come across as honest, informed and not trying to make a quick buck then as far as I am concerned a realtor performs a very important service.

Unless everyone is going to take the time to purchase only FSBOs and represent themselves, then unfortunately they are going to have to enlist the help of a realtor. Personally I don't like the sting of paying all that money to realtors when often times they don't seem all that helpful, however, good realtors can really help smooth what is usually a very stressful process.

I hope you are keeping busy enough to pay the bills and feed the family. We all have to earn a living, and you have earned my respect.

TMAC54 says

you can't go to a gym and work off a little gay

Sure you can, if he'll hold still! Oh, wait, you said "work."

I stand corrected.

:)

Randy H says

I swear apocalypseF is SuferX reincarnate. Pure genius.

My favorite surfer-x quote:
Now, I am become Debt, the destroyer of wallets.

Also, surfer-x certainly had a way with the boomer rants. I have to admit, though, AF has definitely surpassed him.

Greg, nice read and thanks for sharing.

If I thought that a buyer's agent could help me acquire a low end rental in 2012, I'd be contacting you for your services, but alas, I've convinced myself that it is impossible these days.

Ever list anything in Concord/Clayton/Pittsburg? ;-)

I miss Surfer-X...