Why is it that when we finally get some positive press about real estate, it's buried back on page 7 of the real estate section of Sunday's NEW YORK TIMES? In Antionette Martin's article, Buyers Now Hear This, market analyst Jeffrey G. Otteau is quoted as saying, "Spring 2008 will present a unique opportunity that has never before occurred in the housing market, namely lower home prices and low mortgage interest rates."

"never before occurred in the housing market" I could see why an editor at THE NEW YORK TIMES would decide that such an insignificant statement made by a relatively unknown market analyst should receive page 7 status...it's GREAT NEWS...exactly the news that every competent real estate professional in the nation has been exclaiming for the past 9 months or more! Obviously, THE NEW YORK TIMES would not want to acknowledge NAR's "2007 Public Awareness Campaign" with front page, or even page 2, status.

So, once again, the burden of the truth falls upon the shoulders of the REALTOR. I, for one, resolve to continue to shoulder this burden for as long as it takes to make headlines!

Jim Flanagan, REALTOR

Happy New Year! It's 2008 and I, like every other professional Realtor, have resolved to do things differently this year. In my quest for inspiration and motivation toward achieving this resolution, I began reading Rossi's Dog & Dog & Vice Versa.

Chapter One: "Do It Now!" In this opening chapter, Rossi talks about all the simplicity and power of Nike's famous slogan; Just Do It. How we can over complicate, over research and overpay the simplest of actions. He uses an example that resonated with me; "don't try, do it and do it now". Rossi masterfully illustrates that by saying, "I'll try.", we're really saying, "No. I won't be doing that." He asks, "Have you ever been invited somewhere you did not want to go and instead of being honest and just saying, NO THANKS, we say, I"LL TRY. When what we really mean is; I have absolutely no intention of attending."

I resolve not to try but to DO IT NOW! Thanks Rossi!