That is the question these days, should we or shouldn’t we bail out the banks? Well let’s look at this from a couple perspectives. If we bail out the banks the experts say it would help the economy in the short term. Now you have to ask yourself, who will it help? Will it be the consumer or the executives and the shareholders? I think that if we bail them out then we will go through the exact same thing in the long run and be right back where we started. Sometimes you have to bear all the pain to get through a situation and fully understand its ramifications, if not then we as typical humans are likely to repeat our mistakes. If our economy is hurting now and we can get through it for the benefit of everyone for a future good then why not suffer now instead of suffering twice. I am hurt by this just like everyone and i don’t want to see anyone suffer but if we have to then let’s get this over with and out of the way now!

The other perspective is the consumer who is loosing their home. Nobody wants to see anyone loose their home especially a Realtor. But those of us in this situation let’s ask ourselves a serious question, did we take out loans we shouldn’t have had? Did we purchase too much home and over extend ourselves? Did we take the equity out of our home (or equity we thought we had) and spend it on a new car or boat or vacation? I represent sellers in this same market and I have to say that I find it amazing how many bought into the commercials they seen about using their equity for something other than reinvesting into their homes.

So the question still stands do we or don’t we bail them out? I am not an expert but I feel we ALL have to be RESPONSIBLE when it comes to the money we borrow.

I have been traveling quite a bit over the past years as a Realtor and a hockey dad. I have found that drivers in PA have this notion that they have some kind of ownership of the lane they drive in. As to say this is MY lane and I’M not moving. funny thing is they say that people in other cities drive crazy; no they don’t they just don’t care about how YOUdrive. They are just trying to get from point A to point B and hope that they don’t have any hang-ups in their travels. Take Toronto; 4-6 lanes going in every direction with 2 lanes coming on an off the highway at all times. Drivers going fast some slower some swerving in and out of the other cars BUT nobody gets mad or gives them a hand jesture. They just keep on driving and don’t worry about the other guys. In PA though; you change lanes without a signal and you get someone running up your bumper or throwing you some jesture demonstrating their IQ.

So I ask PA drivers, next time someone gets in your lane, don’t worry; the next time some one is driving faster than you and you’re in the passing lane then simply move over. The other driver probably doesn’t care about you or what you think of them. So relax, smile and let them pass by!