Each week we have been sharing some of the random thoughts that go through our heads. If we wrote everything, it would be a large book, so below are just a few from this week:
1. Dubai or Do Buy- The Dubai sell-off in the market creates tremendous investment opportunities for 
those companies that sell off and have no impact from Dubai. If this continues next week, take advantage of the opportunity. Further, the Black Friday shopping folks probably did not even catch the news and if they did, I am sure they were thinking "Do Buy" instead of "Dubai".
2. Thanksgiving- Speaking of the Thanksgiving holiday, I read a blog by Seth Godin saying that this is one of his favorite holidays. It has become one of mine too. Giving thanks and spending time with the people you love is so special. I also love the "no gifts, no guilt" aspect of it as well.
3. Appraisals- I think the folks doing the appraisals are getting too conservative. In the heyday, it was the opposite, to the point of being goofy excessive which caused many of the problems for folks to be in. One thing that really bothers me is having to back out the sellers assist. For neighborhoods that are primarily first time home-buyer markets with sellers assist, you can immediately bring down the value of that area by six percent. It does not make any sense when those houses sold for AND APPRAISED for the sales prices, not the sales prices minus the assist.
4. Pro Bono Work- I read an article in Realtor.com about Fran Hoover, a RE/MAX agent who does one pro-bono deal a year and how rewarding that is to help those folks that are in despair or just do a good deed. They called her the "Closing Angel". What a beautiful story. With us, we have gone the extra mile so many times going above and beyond where it has been noticed and appreciated. Still, I really like this idea and am thinking about incorporating it.
Please share your thoughts on the above or post your own random thoughts in the comments below.
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Christopher and Stephanie,
I enjoyed your random thoughts so much that I subscribed to your blog. I like the outlook and hint of humour. Thanks
Paul - Thank you ! We appreciate it ! Just subscribed to your blog as well : )
HA. 1 pro bono deal a year, huh? I think I do a few myself. Not by design.
I eagerly look forward to the end of HVCC. Appraisals up here are the same. Nuts.
J. Philip - LOL, I hear you regarding the pro-bono deals as many can end up that way. I think the difference would be choosing to do one ahead of time versus it ending up that way : ) . Yes, I look forward to the end of HVCC as well. I am not looking forward to FHA going HVCC in the beginning of 2010. Unfortunately, it will get worse before it gets better.
Interesting story abour Fran Hoover Chris. Talk about giving back! It is easy to see why she is called the closing angel.
Bill - Yes, I really liked that story too. Made me think that when the right time comes, I will do the same thing as it must have so much personal rewards attached to it not to mention the postive karma that comes back 10 fold !
Chris and Stephanie...Seth Grodin is one of my favorite blogs to read..As far as Pro- Bono I do more than one a year....My clients know my door is always open to them whenever they have a problem...My sons best friend for instance...I was fortunate enough to do a Home Team TV Show and have him be the recipient ..before he pasted away from cancer at age 27..have a wonderful holiday season
HelpfulHannah your friend in Philadelphia
Hannah - Thanks for the update. Is great that you do a little pro-bono already. We did that too for family on Stephanie's side, but I think it really comes out in those special situations where there are no immediate family relations and such. Is a beautiful thing. And speaking of Seth Godin, what a wonderful blog he has ... full of creative and innovative thoughts !