Recently I have attended several real estate and appraisal seminars. Times have really changed, and everyone in the real estate industry is feeling it. What do we do in times of change? I have decided to roll with the changes and start thinking outside of the box. One change that has been predicted by an old-tyme real estate investor is that we are going to revert to more owner financing. It really makes sense considering lending practices have become so tight. Higher interest rates are on the horizon as well. Right now is a great time to buy if you can get bank financing and lock in at theses low rates. I think we are definitely going to see more creative financing with owner held mortgages. If you are a Realtor, I would suggest seeing if any of your owners have the ability to hold paper. If your buyer can not get bank financing, this may be the only way to get your listing sold. The appraisal business is in quite a turmoil as well. Many of us are suffering & feeling at the mercy of the new HVCC changes that are on the way. There is going to be a huge house cleaning between real estate agents and appraisers. If we can tough out these hard times, when it starts to pick up, there will be less competition. Right now, I am willing to do whatever I have to do to make it through these times. I am not going to sit around and wait for my phone to ring, and I would strongly suggest anyone in our industry to do the same.