Sophie’s Choice

 

     A number of years ago, there was a great movie starring Meryl Streep that was called Sophie’s Choice. It was about a mother who arrived at a concentration camp with two small children. The Nazi guards forced her to make a choice. She was allowed to keep one child with her and the guards would take the other child with them. There was tremendous drama in this wonderful film.

 

In this real estate market, sellers are required to make some difficult decisions. The first question is, “ Are you serious about selling?” If not, stay off the playing field. The second question is, “Are you willing to do what it will take to get the house sold?”

 

Doing what it takes may mean listening to the staging tips such as painting, carpeting, and de-cluttering. It may mean being patient. Did you hear about the child who prayed, “Lord, give me patience, and give it to me today”? It may mean realizing that a house is only worth what someone is willing to pay. It may mean releasing the fantasy that yesterday’s price may not be today price, which may be lower than tomorrow’s price.

 

I love to read. One of the best secular books, in my opinion is Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankel. This author was a concentration camp survivor and founded a school of psychology called logotherapy. He discovered if a person is stripped of everything, they still control their attitude. Their attitude is everything. It can even help withstand trying circumstances.

 

A sage once quipped, “Money is only important when you don’t want something enough”. If a real estate seller is ‘serious about selling’ they will be forced to make some difficult financial decisions. It will require patience. It will require counting your blessings, which include thanking your Realtor for their assistance.