Welcome!
Finally, someone else who gets it. It was exhilarating to read your positive spirit. For those familiar with Spencer Johson's "Who Moved My Cheese", how we react to change will determine who will survive. And that's what this is about. "The times they are a'changing!" Below is part of a blog I wrote for Trulia.com the other day. To quote somebody, “When God closes one door, He opens another. But it can be hell in the hallway.” Historically our great country has seen many dire economic times. We have only to look back on the 1980’s. One thousand Savings and Loans went under. Twenty million blue collar workers lost their jobs. Whole industries disappeared (think vinyl records) as computers began to take over. Foreclosures were at an all time high throughout large pockets of the country. Yet we did not implode. We are a country of innovators and hard workers. Currently we find ourselves in the hallway. But adversity leads to entrepreneurial thinking, new businesses and new opportunities. The historical truth is, the next door will lead us to a new high of economic growth and development. The bailout of AIG whose subsidiary, US Guaranty is the fifth largest mortgage insurance company in the US, may give rise to new companies that will provide mortgage premium insurance. Lending practices will change. Private industry will create new business models. Traditional ways of buying and selling real estate may change. There are already more creative ways of bringing buyers and sellers together. I agree that this is an opportunity to grow and shine !
I used this strategy of rent-to-own often in the late 80's, early 90's down-market. It helped many a seller through a difficult time. But be aware! There is a risk. When the market rebounded a some buyers chose not to complete the purchase of the house,even though their down payment was at risk. At that point the buyer is considered the tenant and if they are awful people might need to be evicted. Hopefully they didn't damage the house when they left. On the up-side the lease/purchase assisted many deserving people purchase a house that they couldn't otherwise buy.
The challenge is finding the training. Many of the over 50 group didn't grow up with the technology. Incorporating the new technology means coming out of your comfort zone. It's scary and hard to embrace. But the reality is the future is now. The changes are coming fast. There's lots of confusion and lack of understanding. What is needed are some LIVE training classes to teach what is available, how to use it and when to use it.
