Let's face it, things are not looking rosy in the real estate industry at the moment. If you're selling I'm not telling you anything you didn't already know! The August numbers showing another jump in inventory only reinforce the story.

There is no one place to point the finger of blame on how we got here. And, in the end, does it matter right now? It's time to figure out how to fix this mess!

While there have been lots of ideas floating around in the political realm and in the economic world of the Fed, I'd like to talk a little about what real estate agents can do to help.

I see plenty of seminars for first time home buyers, working on educating them and helping them buy their first house. There's nothing wrong with that, but I think a bigger area of need right now is education for the homeowner in trouble.

I'd like to see us offering classes, in partnership with mortgage companies and settlement companies, walking homeowners who have already missed payments or those with mortgages about to adjust, through their options. The vast majority of homeowners don't understand all the options available to them and the pluses and minuses associated with each one. We need to talk about short sales, deed in lieu of foreclosure and foreclosure.  People need to know what to expect with each step of the process.

We are in a unique position to help here. I realize that this is a for profit business. And I know this sounds like a seminar that's unlikely to produce much in the way of income. But I think we'd do our profession a service. I also think you'd build long-term income potential by helping people in a tight spot. Most of those people will eventually buy another house. If you're there when they need you, many of them will remember that.

When times are tough we can show our character and step up and do the right thing. It's good for everyone! And it can't hurt the reputation of real estate agents either!