Really now, doesn’t the bigger house better express the inner you? At a crowded trade show, I was talking to a friend when a stranger pushed by me and nearly knocked me over. He was thoroughly, though hurriedly, apologetic.
“They’re getting ready to pull the name of the Cadillac winner,” he said. “I’ve got to be there. I need that Cadillac.” “C’mon,” I smiled. “Nobody needs a Cadillac.” He looked at me as if I’d just stolen his last Christmas present. “No, I really do need a Cadillac,” he said. “I’m a real estate agent.”
Quick show of hands: How many believe modesty and moderation are the key words in living a proper, balanced life? Me too. I couldn’t agree more. Ostentatious and conspicuous displays of wealth disgust me.
Unless, of course, we’re talking about home buying. In home buying, I see no need to check one’s ego at the door. In fact, dream house-wise, your ego probably got there long before you did. Just you and me talking here. Nobody looking over your shoulder.
Now, honestly, what’s your excuse for wanting to buy a house?I know what you’ve told everybody else. “We really are running out of room. We just need a bigger place.” (Classic lie. If you’d throw out that junk you call your priceless possessions you’d have lots of room.)
Or maybe, “We need a place where the children can run.” (This is a good one. Who can question the for-the-children thing?) How about, “We’ve always wanted a _________________ (fill in the blank: lawn, garden, garage, dog, privacy) and we’ve decided to get it.” (Not imaginative, but it works.)
