Random Thoughts

Remember back in the 80's of an author by the name of Hal Lindsey? He wrote 'The Late Great Planet Earth', 'Countdown to the 1980's' and other biblical End Times type books. I remember he talked about Russia, China, Iran, the number of the beast...stuff like that. Well there was one thing that I always remembered, the mark of the beast. He said the bible talked about everyone having to have a number on their hands or foreheads or they wouldn't be able to buy or sell things. I remember thinking that would be crazy hard. No way we Americans would fall into that kind of trap...my how times have changed. Russia, the UN and other countries are wanting now to have one world currency. Can you believe that!? Wow! We're just a blink away from having the government adopt such a thing. Did you ever...ever...think we'd become a socialist nation? It's not coming, it's here! The government owns banks, insurance companies and have interest in the car manufacturers. Crazy, just crazy! The funny thing is, we're never going back. We've given away so much money we can't go back. We're socialist forever now. Will it get worse? I'm guessing yes. The new rich won't be entrepreneurs with new fresh ideas, it's going to be politicians and the political elite, they'll have all the money. The taxes that are going to be imposed to pay for all of this 'bailout' stuff will stop young businesses and even the large ones. Why would Caterpillar stay in Illinois? They've been moving south for a long time now. These new taxes are just going to push them out quicker. Ole Hal Lindsey may have had it right. His timing may have been wrong but his message was right. What else did he say?

Sell My Own Home?

When people sell their homes 'on their own' it's about the money, right? Their thoughts are to keep as much money in their pockets as possible - it makes sense. How hard could it be, place an ad, hold a few open houses, get an attorney to do the closing, wha-la they just saved a bunch of money because they didn't have to pay a realtor, right? It sure sounds good doesn't it? Why then don't more people do it? Are they lazy, or afraid, or not smart enough? Maybe. Or maybe they know intrinsically, inside themselves, that they may lose more money than they'd save if they sold it on their own.

My experience with fisbo (for sale by owner) sellers are only after they've tried to do it on their own, or when they want to brag a little to let me know they 'sold it' on their own. I recently got a call from a fsbo seller who was finally giving up after trying to sell his home on his own. He was in the desporate mode because he couldn't handle the two mortage payments any more. His reserve cash was depleted or at least way past his comfort zone. I had another call with someone who bought a fsbo and paid way to much money for his home and his life fell apart so he had to sell it. He ended up bringing eleven thousand dollars to the closing - he had to pay eleven thousand dollars just so he wouldn't go bankrupt! He borrowed it from his parents, ugh.

I'm sure there's great stories out there, maybe.

For people selling homes and for every week or every month it doesn't sell there are costs, hello! Carrying costs like: ongoing mortgage payments, insurance, utility costs, maintainance costs, taxes, stress, spouse abuse, headaches, disappointment ... if you've ever tried to sell your own home you know what I mean.

I don't see where the real saving is. Just the family stress alone should make people reconsider. This is one of the biggest assests (or liabilties) a person has. Why try to go it alone - ugh!