Annual Expo

Yesterday Edina Realty had their annual "Expo". It's a company wide meeting where we get the usual pat on the back for a job well done, browse through the vendor booths, and mingle with our contemporaries. This year Ben Stein was the main speaker, and while I typically don't attend these functions, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to hear Mr. Stein. I've been a fan of his for a long time...even though I never did see the movie Ferris Buellers Day Off. Mr Stein gave us his take on the state of the economy, how we got into this mess, and why he thinks we'll get out of it. He mentioned that real estate is one of his favorite investments, noting that he owns 7 houses and will probably go for 8 in the near future. But real estate as an investment wasn't his main point. Owning a home was. Several times he said that "if you find a house you fall in love with, buy it". He said people are always asking him if they should buy now or wait for the market to hit bottom, and his response is always the same. "If you find a house you fall in love with, buy it", adding that "a home is part of your heart". I couldn't agree more.