You might not know it by what you have been reading on the internet and hearing from all the talking heads and various news outlets, but our business, real estate that is, is still good!  Everyday all throughout the Greater Tulsa Metro Region from Claremore to Glenpool, Sapulpa to Bixby, homes, land and commercial buildings are selling.  Funny thing is, in spite of this, you are probably hearing that the sky is falling over and over again.  Day after day, we sit down with our clientele and are amazed how they are allowing others (who don’t even know them, nor have they ever shared their circumstances with them) to have such an influence on their lives, outlook and decisions.  The implied message from most is that there is no hope, no real opportunity and for homeowners considering selling face losing their shirt if they sell now.  However, what we are finding is quite a different picture.  This doom and gloom mindset is even beginning to permeate the real estate industry itself.  Losing perspective by over valuing the national market, failing to properly assess the local real estate market and the individual needs of each buyer and seller, is even affecting seasoned brokers and agents. Yes, that’s right, real estate professionals with a genuine opportunity to help their clients buy and sell at some of the best prices and in one of the most competitive markets since the early 2000’s, are actually quitting.  Unbelievably; they are leaving an industry where opportunity is literally at the door for both them and their clients. 

Years ago my wife and I, through a series of life experiences learned what it meant to be abased and to abound in the same calendar year.  The first of the year brought real setbacks.  I won’t kid you, everything seem to hit us seemingly at once.  It was like we were living in a vacuum where our love of life and will to believe were being tested; all we could see is what was going wrong and how it appeared as though we weren’t going to make it.  You could say that we had lost our will to dream and believe.  Until one day we had had enough.  We were literally weary from being weary if you can understand what I mean.  So we both did something about it…we stopped looking at ourselves and our situation and looked to the Lord.  The thing is our circumstances hadn’t changed immediately, what had changed was our point of view.  In a moment, we began to look at the same set of circumstances with a different perspective.  The interesting thing is that once we began to see things from the Lord’s perspective the will to dream and believe for a better future began to come back.  From that simple decision our world was literally turned right side up.  The life lesson we believe the Lord taught us out of that was three fold.  First, we learned to be aware if our circumstances but not to let them rule us.  We had learned not to let fear or fear of lack to be the motivating factor by which we lived and made our decisions.  If you get anything out what I am saying remember this; you cannot make a good decision if you are blinded by fear or lack.  Secondly, we learned that by looking to the Lord, and seeing everything through His view, there was always a path to victory.  God always makes a way where there seems to be no way!  He can do his best on your behalf when you believe.  Let me put it this way, the more you agree with God the easier it will be for Him to direct and deliver you.  Thirdly, we learned that God never does it all.  We always have a role to play.  God isn’t looking for puppets; He is looking to be your partner.  So I’ll put the question to you that the Lord keeps asking me every time I face a new opportunity or challenge, what’s in your hand?  The Lord has continued to demonstrate that He is faithful yes, but we have learned the joy that comes from the Lord allowing us to participate in His plans for our lives and the delight of giving Him glory in all we do.  The quicker you are to do your part the more you release the Lord to do His. So, is a dogged determination in your hand? Then stick to it, you know; that thing you’ve felt led to do that doesn’t seem to “make sense” in this economy, that thing no one else is doing, whatever it is keep doing it.  We are…that’s why we’re still open!

Live Well!

J F SMITH