The Housing Crunch Hits Home

The people across the street are moving. They were loud, inconsiderate neighbors who sometimes blocked my driveway with their trucks. Their little girl was a brat who sassed me back when I asked her not to hang out in front of my house because she was so noisy. I couldn’t believe it when there was a for sale sign on their front lawn. They bought their house when prices were high. The sign was up for four months. And yesterday I decided to get back into selling real estate, so I looked up their property. Sure enough it was in default and on the market for about $150,000 less than they bought it for, subject to the lender approving the short sale. Today the sign is gone, though the listing still shows it’s active. That probably means it’s going into foreclosure. That makes me feel very sad–for them- even though they were annoying neighbors, and for everyone else on this street, including myself. Misfortune is still misfortune no matter who it hits.

I’d tried to sell my house three times, but nobody would buy it. I knew it wasn’t worth what I borrowed, but I didn’t realize the value in my area had fallen so low. My hope is that I start making more money so I can continue to afford the payments, because the alternative is not something I want to think about.

Your Desk Says A Lot More Than You Think

Your desk is the one place at work where you can express your individuality. But watch out! What it says about you can affect your relationship with your boss, your co-workers, or your clients.

Here are some tips to make a positive image and still keep your independence.

1. Choose Your Photographs Wisely. Pictures of children, your wedding, or a snapshot of you and your girlfriend show you can manage relationships. You value your roots--and your job, because these people depend on you. But too many pictures makes people think you'd rather be home than at work. And of course, leave the r-rated ones of your wife or girlfriend at home (even if she is a hottie!).

2. Sports Fans Beware. Coffee mugs and stationery from the hometown team are great for career boosters, especially if you work in the same city as the team. Just don't support a rival team or you'll be on the outs with everyone.

3. What You Read At Work Is Just As Important As When You Read It. If it's cool to read at your desk, choose newspapers and over tabloids. And always keep a current copy of a publication specific to your industry even if you never read it. (You can't lose points with that one.) But of course, the less you read at your desk the more it looks like you're working.

4. Don't Be Too Neat or Too Messy. A cluttered desk means you're working, but keep it well-stocked and clean it at the end of the day, or when you're on vacation, and you'll be known as the go-to guy when your boss needs help. Just don't be too anal. Obsessive neatness or fussiness means you probably can't handle an emergency. (One last tip: if you are a messy-desk person who wants to reform, don't clean off your desk before lunch, because when you come back everyone will think you've been fired).