Hi Fran -- couldn't have stated it better myself! Now is the time to step it up a notch or two...

Well put! Anyone in the industry 10-15 years ago, or those who began since, operating with 'sound professional and ethical judgements' still standing, will soon reap the benefits of experiencing that period and operational decissions they made. With some small exceptions, we've come full circle. Homes will appreciate at 2%, not 20%. Buyers will be prepared with verifiable income, good credit and down payement funds. Life will again, be good.

Very good post Fran. We agree and will be one of those left standing when it sorts itself out.

I love that term and have used it in the past to describe some things I have seen - I am always carefult o stay away form that slippery slope - trying to keep the perception and quality  of our industry up there:)

Great post Fran.  For those of us still around its time to engage the 4 wheel drive and start back up the "slippery slope" with some degree of control

Lanette: We need to be planting seeds right now if we want to benefit by a shift in the market!!! :)

Scott: Well said, also! I see it exactly as you do!!! :)

Patty & Scott: Survivors, survivors, survivors...that's what we all are! :)

Thanks,   Fran

Courtney: I'm afraid of slippery slopes!!! I avoid them at all costs! :)

Robert: I'm looking for the level road to get back up..It may take me longer, but I'll enjoy the scenery as I go!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

Fran

Sometimes that slope is getting even more steap and a bigger slope.

How sad.

Sincerely

Tom BRaatz

Tom,

Take another route!!! Use GPS...Go, Plain & Simple!!! Thanks,   Fran

Your posts are great. Keep them coming!

A notch or two up should have been stepped up a long time ago.  But now is better than ever.

Jan: I'll do my best!!! :)

Larry: There's no time like the present!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

WQell said Fran. It's time to get back to old fashioned hard work. The low hanging fruit is gone!

Wayne,

Old fashioned hard work is irreplaceable!!! Thanks,   Fran

Good people (us) taking fantastic care of good people (our clients)!!!  Great post, Fran!  JB Brookman

There are so many things to work on while things are less than ideal in our market and that aspect inspires me (especially when trying to find the time).  More time for me leads to more credibility.

Jean: Fine tuning is a good thing! :)

JB: Great way to put it!!! :)

Susie: Exactly! And more time to take great pictures!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

Fran, sold ground is at the end of the slippery slope, for those that didn't slide off on the way down. Great analogy and I love it. Time to buy new clothes, and clean up after the fall down.

Fran the swinging of the pendulum is a good thing for all!

Fran,

Excellent post---Let the cream rise to the top, right?

Fran- It is hard not to get discouraged but I truly feel that is we are steadfast in being beyond ethical to moral, fair, honest and professional we will end up on solid ground. Great post- as always!

Onward and upward Fran. Great thoughts looking back and encouragement to move forward.

Right on!  It's going to be raining listings and sales in a year or two.

Missy: All I'm worried about is Notre Dame vs Michigan in 2 weeks!!! LOL

Jim: Right...it gives us a short rest in the middle!!! :)

Diane: Yes, as the dust settles!!! :)

Barbara: That formula works...we just have to persist and have confidence in it!!! :)

Gary: There's no other way!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

Cathleen,

Don't spend the money quite yet...or throw away the umbrella!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

We've got a long way to go, but I'm getting ready for the next boom.  It will disappoint a lot of folks, though because the price ranges will be a lot lower.

My folks have now accepted the lower price ranges. 

Lenn,

I'd be cautious using the term 'boom'...it has too many bad connotations!!! LOL, Thanks,   Fran

FRAN - There is definitely a lot of regrouping going on right now.  Even though other "bubbles" have burst, no one seems to be able to get past the euphoria of the moment to realize that their bubble could be next.  I only wish that more consumers found Active Rain so that they could see some stories about the positives of the industry as well.

Really nice post, Fran!  I think we're looking at a sort of "back to the future" sort of thing.  If you are a loan officer who is cheating to get a loan through, it's going to take a big cheat instead of a little one to accomplish it.

Adam: At least now we're down to the 'small bubbles'...but not 'bubble free' yet!

Patricia: It will be more like 'future to the back'...because it won't resemble the serious deficiencies of the past...unless we fail to learn anything from our mistakes!

Thanks,   Fran

Nice post, yes, everything is cyclical, every 15-20years the real estate market hits a bump in the road. Shoot, bell bottoms came back into style, maybe those white shoes and belts in the closet will too? Nahhh

We're definitely seeing those that step up do well - and those that don't want to - "retiring".

Frank & Jodi: I can't wait for tatoos and body piercings to go out of style!!! :)

Tony: Some never make it out of the on deck circle...! :)

Thanks,   Fran

You GO Fran!

Jeff-

I agree!  So there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  I am entering my 4th year in the real estate business and so I have had to deal with the "slippery slope" since I started.  Not easy for a new agent but I have hung in there and intend to continue to hang on until things turn around.  I've seen the market in better times and I have nothing but good times to look forward to.  Right, Everyone?

Jeff: Thanks for stopping by!!!

Carla: It will get better, but it won't necessarily look like it did before!!!

Thanks,   Fran

I'm in a fabulous market here in Texas ... I'm just holding on for the ride, wherever it may go!

And so, now that the 'slippery slope' has been navigated, and we're still standing, let us resolve to move forward using the best principles of professionalism, ethics, morality, knowledge, justice, and fairness that our industry can muster...  

Hi Fran,

You set an excellent goal.  However, as I ponder your words, I believe the slippery slope is a reflection of American society today.  I would like to see your advice expanded beyond real estate to include our entire country.

Respectfully,

Bruce

Fran,

Excellent advice...reminds me of that saying 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going'. We learn a lot from slippery slopes, especially that we don't want to come across them again.

Jo

Bruce: Are you asking me to pontificate about human nature as I currently view it? Well then, here goes...Humans are moral creatures, and when their sense of morality has become diluted and deluded such that there are no longer any 'moral absolutes' but only 'relative' truths...they have lost their way...as a society, we must get back on track by rejecting 'moral relativism' one moral human being at a time as we see and find the truth and then act accordingly...There you go, that's as much philosophy as I can muster!!!

Hope this is what you were asking!

Jo: Indeed, avoid those slippery slopes whenever possible!!! :)

Thanks,   Fran

These are the times that bring out the best in realtors and the professionals in the business.  The ones in it for the buck will fall out and the consumer will have an array of true long term professionals who either have been in it for the long haul already or who are in it for the long haul...this can actually be a very good time for us!

Sonja,

I'm on your side!!! Thanks,   Fran

I'm running in to more and more consumers that are saying to me the agent we used 2 or 3 years ago is no longer in the business and now that we have looked back on the transaction, we know why.

TC,

We're seeing a lot of that also, sand I'm sure for the same reasons!!! Thanks,   Fran