The Pivot

So. . .

If you've been following along, you know that Julia and I are supposed to be in the Sierra Nevada Mountains right now.

You may have noticed that she arrived in Mexico yesterday and that the Airbnb where we slept last night is pretty far from Donner Lake near Truckee, CA.

That's because The Adventure Truck®, which should have been waiting for us yesterday at the airport in Sacramento, never made it.

And since the car hauling company didn't bother to tell me their truck had broken down in Philadelphia, PA, I was unaware of this until about 20 hours before we would board our separate flights to rendezvous in the Golden State.

Uh oh.

If you join the Facebook groups where the Realtors hang out these days, there's a lot of bellyaching.

High interest rates and low inventory have led to slower sales. Some guys have posted about their sales being off by as much as 90% year over year.

"I've got one deal in escrow that's probably not going to close, and besides that one, I've only sold one other house this year.

"I don't know what to do; I can't pay my bills."

I feel bad for them—I've been there. Lots of you know that back in 2019, I went for nine months only earning $1,400.

Then comes the big NAR lawsuit, and although not much has changed so far, the writing is on the wall.

The industry is shifting.

The easy street days are winding down.

It's time to pivot.

I almost wish brokerage was still my primary business because it's a fantastic opportunity for the ones who want to do something other than bitch and moan.

But I can tell you this - most of them are just bitching and moaning.

Like me in the first part of 2019, they're not doing shit about it.

But there's nothing quite like only $1,400 of income in nine months with a new baby to feed to teach you a lesson, and I'm glad I learned - even if it was the hard way.

You pivot, or you die.

There's an old saying about this - you know the one. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade.

I mean, you don't have to.

But lemonade is a $9B market, so that's what I'd do.

Anyway, I'm missing out on the Sierra Nevadas.

Mammoth Lakes.

The Sequoia National Forest

Death Valley.

And Vegas, baby!

I'm a little bit bummed to be writing this using wifi at an Airbnb instead of the Starlink I installed in the truck two weeks ago.

But I've got my best friend with me, and we're hanging in Mexico for a while.

It ain't what it was supposed to be.

But it's all good.

PS - lately some folks have been asking me about my travel gear. I had to replace my shave kit (or toiletry kit or dopp kit or whatever you want to call it). I started with a $100 one from a fancy travel company, but it sucked. I sent that back and got from Amazon one that's probably the best I've ever had. And it was only $13. Need one? Go here --> https://amzn.to/3R0MtIK