Inspired Real Estate For Today

Today, I was reminded of how fragile the ground upon which we stand is.  This picture was taken along the banks of one of the most magnificent bodies of fresh water in the world...Lake Michigan.  Standing at the top of the dune, my eyes were drawn to the sign asking us to stay OFF the Bank (Fragile Area).  You see, in some spots along the lake, there is a problem with shifting sand. Some residences have required significant under-girding to secure them from sliding down the hill.

This evening, I've reviewed a number of blog posts about the $8,000 Tax Credit that WAS, and now appears to BE NOT...and perhaps may reappear in the future in a modified version.  I can't help but think of how fragile our systems of communication are.  At a time in which news is instantaneous and can be projected onto the world stage in the twinkling of an eye, we are all vulnerable.

Within the past few years, we have witnessed the demise of many newspapers due to shrinking sales revenue. It's very difficult for hard core reporting to compete with the immediacy of millions of newly arrived online commentators.  But, in our rush to know everything as soon as possible, I wonder if we are in the process of sacrificing something far more important...the truth.

Truth, is not easy to uncover precisely because falsehood is so insidious and conspicuous. Truth may not be clearly evident in the cursory glance and often requires real digging to unearth. Truth also functions in tandem with discernment; the ability to understand what a thing or person really is and make a right judgment.  This requires a certain level of maturity. In an age when opinions masquerade as facts, we're all prone to error.

I recently returned from the Real Trends Gathering of the Eagles Conference in Dallas, Texas. My experience has me thinking about how dramatically the real estate landscape is changing.  New brokerage models and ideas about how to manage agents and transactions are being explored as brokers struggle to deal with rapidly shifting market realities. 

The power of Shift, is that it takes you to a new place.  The danger of Shift is that you may not be entirely prepared for unforeseen consequences.  As much as I understand the embarrassment and frustration felt by many with regards to confusion regarding the announcement of the monetization of the $8,000 tax credit, I think that there is a wider issue worth examining.  We need carefully reflect on how our industry is going to take advantage of these incredible new tools available online and through social media in a manner which benefits our members and the public while guiding all of us through uncharted territory.  

This is an opportunity to not just release pent up frustration, but to offer constructive channels of dialog about ways in which we can choose to rise to the challenge of creating a new path of progress forward. Your thoughts?

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