S.E.C. Real Estate Observer

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“These are the times that try men’s souls” as Thomas Paine so aptly put it in the winter of 1776 – although, he could have been referring to our current economic crisis. As the recession lingers on around us, we become caught in the quagmire ourselves and it seems, at times, like we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. If we were each facing the challenges alone, it would be extremely tough not to lose focus and succumb to the problems we face every day. But we do have a tremendous support group and a sounding board for ideas and solutions to the issues we are facing. It is incumbent on us all to use and contribute to the forum we have (our S.E.C. meetings) for bringing problems and solutions into focus. Our most valuable asset in the Society is collectively ourselves and our openness to share ideas and solutions for the problems that are brought before the group OR to counsel as individuals when one of our Society members feels a less public session is more beneficial.

It is this quality in the S.E.C. organization that sets us apart from other real estate groups. The openness to share thoughts and ideas with each other, and with our guests, in order to lift the entire group, is what differentiates us. Perhaps others may focus on cranking numbers and filling out spreadsheets because they think that is more important, but that may not be the solution to the situation their client or they themselves are seeking.

This recession has not run the full term, as yet, and there will be additional struggles in the coming months that our group, or individuals in our group, and our industry, will have to face. But our members and guests know there is solace in coming to our gatherings, bringing their problems and issues that seem insurmountable, and letting the wisdom and experience of the group begin to unravel some of the obstacles to finding solutions. Sometimes the greatest comfort is knowing that you are not facing these situations alone. There are in our group some who have been there before, or some who are there now, and are looking for similar solutions. We all wear the scars of being in the fray of the real estate business, of being active and not sitting on the sidelines.

In the words of Theodore Roosevelt:

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

We are all where we are because we have chosen to enter the arena and take the risks. We will come out on the other side stronger and wiser than when we entered. Above all, keep the faith and stay the course and remain dedicated to each other and the Society to preserve the special bond and we have in this organization.