Real Estate – Market, Mortgage, Buying Homes, Selling Property

Real Estate Professionals and Investors feel pressures today unknown just a few years ago. Some wonder “What are we doing here?” and what’s it all about? Inspiration can be hard to come by. At such times it’s useful to think about Who We Are and Why We Count. And why persevere?

Years ago, philosopher and businessman Max Ehrmann wrote the world famous prose poem Desiderata, (in Latin, “Things To Be Desired”). Inspired by Ehrmann’s work, “The Savvy Rehabber” redefines what we in real estate strive for in our personal lives and in the way we pursue our careers– in the way we work.

It often helps to put the work we do in a broader perspective. And be reminded that, at the end of the day, we are remembered not for our Things, but for our Works.

The Savvy Rehabber
Desiderata- ‘Things to be desired’~ Live simply; live well. Strive to avoid conspicuous consumption.
~ Practice Thrift in all things; above all, avoid waste.
~ Pay yourself first. In this way you will always be prepared.
~ Be practical. Understand feasibility, what’s possible, what will work.
~ Be creative, alert for new solutions, techniques, technologies.

~ New is not necessarily better. Seek out the value in the discards of others; it is a more efficient use of scarce resources.
~ In your work, as in your life: Build simply, but build strong.
~ Quality can be affordable. Quality is inherent in taking care of what one does-it is not merely a matter of spending more.
~ Craftsmanship is another word for Integrity. The craftsman takes care in the work of his hands and in the work of life.
~ Value is realized when one believes they’re getting something more than what they pay for.
~ It is never “just about the money.” To presume otherwise is to diminish the Spirit.

~ Marshall the efforts and talents of others, you cannot do it all yourself!
~ Never cover up or mask a problem. Each problem in turn is an opportunity for personal growth and a challenge to our integrity. It is how we deal with the problem that counts.
~ Own your mistakes. It’s how we learn.
~ At all times, be a student as well as a teacher. We all have much to learn and much to share with others.
~ Be a Mentor. “Each one teach one”- Let the value of your work multiply.
~ Always seek to be fair-with your Self as well as with others.

~ At the end of the day: You are the responsible party- for your successes and for your failures.
~ We are all known and ultimately remembered by our Works.
~ Honor what you do, it is who you are.
~ Strive to be a whole person.
~ To be ‘savvy’ is to be wise.

© 2006 Philip Elmes . Inspired by the prose poem Desiderata by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945 ), written sometime in the 1920s.