One of my real estate customers  told me that he will soon inherit millions of dollars from  his dead uncle and buy a mansion from me. Since January this young man and his girlfriend have looked at numerous properties listed between $2 and $4 million.  Each time I see him, "Chris" tells me that the inheritance has been stalled but will arrive soon and he will buy one of the multi-million dollar homes.  According to Chris, the money has been delayed due to: 1) wrong digit on the bank transfer 2) check waiting at the dispatcher's (?) 3) the family is disputing the inheritance. In fact, I now don't think he is going to inherit anything.  Furthermore, he mentions the CIA a lot which only adds to my skepticism.  He's probably just crazy.

My cousin has had every disease known to man and/or woman.  She once developed diebetes and couldn't eat any sugar for over a year and had to have her toenails professionally clipped.  Then the diebetes went away all by itself. A few years ago she let me know that she had three kidneys.  She tells me that she has chronic anorexia although she barely fits into a size sixteen.  I no longer can listen to her litany of ailments.  I know she's just crazy.

An old high school classmate is currently writing e-mails to me about our upcoming high school reunion.  The emails are irritating and don't make a lot of sense.  She doesn't actually help my committee create the invitations, collect the money nor book the venue. She just complains about whatever is done by the committee and offers her own suggestions - none of which she will follow through with.  I try not to let her irritate me too much because I have heard through other classmates that she is crazy.

So I have been thinking.  Do I know more people with mental illness than most?  Do I attract people who are crazy? I believe I am very patient with people with mental problems.  Are other people patient or do they just shut them out?  Do we all feel compassion for people with mental problems while trying to keep them at some distance? The crazy people in my life use my energy, they create tension for me because I listen but never can tell them what I am really thinking.  I am kind and patient on the outside, but inside I am thinking - "Boy, are you nuts!".   I feel sorry for people who have mental problems.  I know that it is a terrible burden for family, friends and the one suffering. 

I would like to hear from other people who maintain relationships with folks who suffer mental illness.  Do you say "yes" but think "no"? Do you tell them the truth when it might cause them anxiety? Do you stay away from them as much as possible because it is so hard to be around them? Are you more patient than I am? Less patient? 



Real Estate Hint # 11 - Clean, clean, clean.  It is amazing how much faster a clean house will sell than a dirty house.  It should be so clean that the house sparkles!  If you are not a cleaner by nature - hire a cleaning service for a complete once over and then have them come back throughout the listing period.  A clean house will sell for more money than a dirty house - and that's the truth!