New use for this site

I have decide to restore usage of this blog, but to differentiate it from my WordPress blog. While I will continue to do one-offs there, I will be doing postings on specific topics here. Feel free to send me an email with any feedback or ideas.

A circumstance to be avoided

In cleaning out some old newspapers, I came across entry in the Sunday Star from June 22nd. It has a weekly feature on "The Week's Best Invented Words," which included this one credited to the Washington Post:

CASHRTATION, n.: "the act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period."

(As a licensed mortgage professional, I can assist in avoiding this condition.)

What some people will say!

I was doing a cursory glance through my email on my Treo this morning to see if there was anything urgent to attend to, when I was surprised by a comment that "everyone is saying that real estate is about to take a major plunge downwards." (Of course, a few paragraphs earlier the writer had started a thought by saying "Don't you just wonder sometimes where people get their ideas?" Don't you just love irony?!?)

I sent a reply pointing out that, actually, not everyone is saying that, and linked to a CMHC publication last month that the Canadian market is moving to a balanced market from a sellers' market. (Not ideal for buyers, but better.) But the bigger point is that it is dangerous to listen to "everyone thinks" or "didn't you know..." type thinking. There is an article on this point in the April issue of my newsletter. If you would like a copy, let me know (no charge, no obligation; available in hard or soft copy).