Merry Christmas to all

It's Christmas once again. A time to reflect on one's faith if you are Christian, and a time to reflect on life's wonder if you are of other faiths.

Here's the in-law side of the family, back in Virginia, where once again we are poised to travel the always unfriendly skies in search of some respite, good ol' family cooking, and perhaps some snow to top off the holiday.

My wife Beth's parents are growing older (and what, we're not?), and each year it seems we grow closer to each other because we have learned this past year at least one, and perhaps many more things about each other. For my part, this has been year of seeing how dignity is confirmed in a person's life. Both Beth's parents are suffering from some serious medical problems, and yet it is with grace and total giving that they spend their time with us.

Just remember it's Christmas TIME. Money and status will pass, but each moment we allocate to those we love gift wraps a little bit more of ourselves to that person.

May your Christmas TIME be with those you love.

You have to ask for help

I met with some clients today that I can help. Boy, if I only had the time to tell you all the stories about the clients I didn't meet, simply because they didn't ask for help!

You may be one of these folks, or almost for certain you know someone. Someone who is renting, getting further behind in the financial world because they are seemingly unable to save and grow wealth through real estate. Someone who wishes they could buy a home, but who just simply doesn't know or won't ask for help.

If you are reading this, and if you are someone who dreams of a home, but just doesn't see the possibility coming your way soon......call.

If you are reading this, and if you know why folks who want a home, dream of a home and potentially could have a home, don't ask.....call.

And if you are reading this, and if you know HOW to get the word out.....call. Perhaps it's the way we are deluged with financial information, scams, etc., that keeps away those who would benefit most.

Equity sharing is not a common term among real estate folks, and I think the reason for that is simply one of lack of knowledge on their part. So, if like myself you always want to at least KNOW the limits of your capabilities either as a buyer, seller or real estate person, please comment on what you want to know about this concept.

It's hardly an EOD

I took a young couple out looking for homes today. First time we had met, and our initial introduction had been through my web site and a couple of emails.

In the course of our meeting I engaged in my usual convivial chatter, finding out in small snippets where they were from, what they were dreaming, and of course, what they "did for a living." Now an old philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard, once wrote "if you label me, you negate me", and being not quite that old, but old enough to remember and revere the 60's, I always ask "what do you do" hoping it creates something that really takes me to the core of that person, not just to the superficial meaning of his or her life as labeled by a job.

So today I asked "what do you both do?" She said, "I'm ex-military, and he's still on active duty."

"What branch?", I asked.

"I was in the Air Force", she said, "and he's in the Marines."

We're here in Oceanside, California, home of Camp Pendleton, and some of the finest young men and women in the whole world. I myself served as a Marine many years ago, but continue to find that meeting and interacting with young service people always makes me glad I live in the San Diego area where so many opportunities arise to do so.

"What do you do in the Marines?", I asked.

"EOD's,", he said.

I'm looking at him, and he's a young guy who clearly loves his gal, his country, and is not a big talker like me. So I ask him, "EOD's....what are they?"

"Explosive Ordinance Devices," he says. "You know, when they set the roadside bombs, me and my unit find them and neutralize them. We make it safe for the rest of the guys."

"Been to Iraq yet?", I asked. "Three tours," he says, and again he's taking his girl's hand and
concentrating on her.

He's not even looking straight at me, and I think I sense he's reluctant to make it sound like anything he does is important. After all, I have my Realtor's badge on, my head filled with facts about the market and all the homes I'm going to show them. It's clear he's looking at me as though I am important.

Well, for today, and to once again remind all of us, Real Estate, is NOT AN EOD!! It's a job, and it's a job some of us do well, love, and that can make a difference, but one that nonetheless "labels" us. I want to say that the next time someone meets me and engages in small talk, including asking "what do you do", I'll say something really honest, really revealing, and perhaps really dangerous. I'll say, "I met a Marine who did EOD removal.....do you know what that is?".....and then talk about this young man and young woman until the subject changes to why what THEY do make what WE do possible.