I actually lost sleep!

I spend time each day going through real estate articles, news publications, and online media to find the newest or late-breaking market news to bring to you.

A few days ago, I found a discussion board question that kept me up all night – reading the responses. I'll get to the question in a sec. It was the fact that, on a printed page…there were SIXTY EIGHT pages of responses to this question:

Would you consider it a help to the community or would you avoid purchasing a foreclosed home for fear of taking advantage of someone else's misfortune?

…like I was gonna pass up an opportunity to see those replies… Here are a few of my favorites:

"The whole real estate market is a sick game where regular people of the same economic class are trying to get rich off each other. I don't have any money to buy your place and you don't have any money to keep it but I try to buy low and you try to sell high. All the while banks, real estate agents, and brokers cheer us on to fight each other."

Editors note: First of all – we're NOT in the same economic class. As an investor, you've got to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you're successful (even if it hasn't come to fruition yet). You as an employee and me as a business owner are apples and oranges.

Second, if you're one of my readers, you know that one house does not a fortune make! The perception of many people (from watching those shows about investors who make the bank as a first-time flipper, no doubt) of investing as a cross-your-fingers-and-see strategy to gain economic independence is what helped the housing market get into its current state!

But I digress…Next!

"George Bush's TV appearance, when he exclaimed: "A new ownership society" says it all, and how callous he appeared as he does now. This whole scenario was rigged! People have lost their jobs with this economy getting worse by the week! So please, all you out there, don't blame your fellow human beings who have run into personal financial downturn. It just isn't civilized!"

Editors note 2: Yes, and I suppose our president can also be blamed for burst levees in New Orleans, too. C'mon! Sure, he's our Commander-in-Chief – and who doesn't want to blame someone! But to blame the entire subprime crisis on someone who's whole job description is doing what's best for the country and the economy…that's just dumb.

"If you're in the right position (right position = no debt, savings, nice job, good health, and no house to sell) it's a good time to buy."

Yeah, and getting a college education and a good job when you get out will keep you set for life. What total BS!

And the grand prize winner?

"The thought that families are losing the house they work hard for is sad. To think that people are taking advantage of that is even worse. Close your eyes for a moment and picture the children that lived there crying, packing their things in boxes and bags. The parents feeling even worse. How would you tell your children? Sad, right? Now tell me, would you still buy that house after picturing that? Nope, I don't think so…"

Editors note 3: Why am I so pissed by the above statement? Sure, others said worse. It's the fact that this person feels that someone going through a bad situation means that no one else should profit. It's the fact that the Negative Nancy above (it was a dude, don't get offended) would rather see a house go back to the bank, stand vacant, and then wait for some magic moment to occur before anyone profited from its purchase.

There are always going to be people who try to make you feel bad for being, or becoming wealthy, for blazing your own trail and making the money you truly DESERVE (not just what the boss-man says you're worth an hour…)

The fact is that who you surround yourself with, the people, the wealth, the positive mental reinforcements…that's what's going to propel you farther and faster than someone always making you feel as though making money from someone else's misfortune.

Think about it, do you get angry at the doctor for charging you to see him when you're sick? NO! Because his time and knowledge is valuable.

The same goes for you. And if you want to increase the value of your time and knowledge, be sure to join me next week as we explore how even the idiot in the post above can make money in today's Real Estate market – and sleep comfortably at night doing it!