Industry associations such as the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) or the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) frequently put out public statements that appear to be nothing more than self-serving statements full of positive spin about what a great time this is to buy a house. And, let's be honest, that's exactly what a lot of them are. They have every reason to try and persuade people, especially now, that it's a great time to buy.

And, many real estate agents have been heard making similarly upbeat statements. I know that many of you think it's the same sort of self-serving claptrap!

Anybody who has been reading this blog for any length of time knows that I'm certainly no industry apologist. But I do believe that my fellow agents and I are often falsely maligned by such accusations.

Yes, there are agents who would say anything to get someone to buy a home. But I still maintain that they're in a minority.

Real estate agents, like other self-employed individuals, are by nature, optimists. Trust me, no one would go into this type of career, and take the kind of financial risks we take unless they were optimistic by nature. Real estate agents are, by nature, people who will automatically see the glass as half full. I personally, veer towards a three-quarters full view on a regular basis. Extreme optimism helps a lot in markets like this! It keeps people in this business who, if they had any sense at all, would go get a job that pays better, has actual benefits and more regular hours!

And, any savvy business person learns early on it never does your business any good to say things are anything but "great". Announcing to the world that your business is suffering is unlikely to attract more business! And, besides, any decent optimist knows things are turning around tomorrow!

So, give that absurdly optimistic real estate agent a little slack. If you're a seller, isn't it a little reassuring to hear a little optimism when there's so much gloom about the market everywhere you turn?

I've got to go take my happy pills now!