A Realtor's Road to Baghdad

Taking responsibility sometimes requires one to find an alternate path in life. I often hear and read stories about people “walking away” from their financial obligations and responsibilities simply because it’s not in their best interest to honor them, or it’s simply become to stressful.

As a Realtor, I’ve certainly not been immune to the mortgage crises and it’s ripple effect. I’ve found it difficult to refinance my homes at terms I find acceptable, and even more difficult to get my clients into homes that banks will loan them sufficient money on.

I’ve concluded that banks don’t really want to loan money right now unless they have to. Fair Lending rules do dictate that when all the hoops are properly jumped through, they must make the loan. They do however keep moving those hoops higher and higher for a majority of Americans. Its times like these that we are reminded of our parent’s warnings “you’ll need to have something to fall back on”.

I still believe in the market, and that it will rebound as it has so many times in the past. The question for many is, how to keep all the balls in the air until it does. Recently I concluded that I wanted to do something different this year, I wanted this year to have meaning.

I will remain active as a Realtor and likely Associate Broker in Bellevue Washington, but I will also be flying to Baghdad Iraq at the end of May. I’ve been offered, and accepted a one-year civilian contract at a water purification plant that supplies the troops with potable (consumable) water. Because I was contacted within 48 hours of applying due to their need for such experience (I previously worked in the public water industry for 12 years), I felt somewhat compelled to accept.

I’ve enjoyed writing for BiggerPockets, and I appreciate Mr. Dorkin allowing me to do so. If I’m able to submit articles while there (and Josh wants them), I will do so. If not, then my picture will likely fade away from this site. The only way I will not be going is if I fail the physical given in Houston Texas prior to shipping out (then I suppose I have other things to worry about!).

I appreciate all the people that read my postings and commented. I do hope your investments do well this year, and I’m confident mine now will. I’m slashing overhead, increasing income, and hopefully being of some small service to the brave men and women fighting in this war.

Note By BiggerPockets: These are opinions written by the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of BiggerPockets.