The Dog Days of Summer
How many legs does a dog have, if you call his tail a leg?
Four. Saying that a tail is a leg doesn’t make it a leg.
-Abraham Lincoln
The dog days of summer have arrived.
In preparing for this month’s blog post, I was looking up quotes that referenced the “Dog Days” and the above-quoted thought caught my attention. I mean, one of history’s greatest presidents bringing the sass to a conversation is entertaining enough, but I’d love to have been there for that chat.
Beyond that, the widespread application for this little gem, is something of which to take notice:
- When your kids say their rooms are clean- what they say counts as “clean” may take some poetic license with the actual definition of the word…
- When your spouse tells you they’re ready to leave the house- only to wait for them to find their coat and make three trips back into the house for wallet… then phone… then charger…
- When your boss mentions your Christmas bonus is in the mail- we all know a subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club is not the same thing…
This also holds true in real estate. A website saying it can market your property for you, doesn’t mean they’ll actually target and connect with the buyers you need. A lender saying you’re pre-approved, doesn’t mean diddly, if they haven’t seen your documentation. An agent saying an offer is on the way, doesn’t mean you’ve sold your house, so don’t pop the cork just yet. Your neighbor, who used to be a paralegal in an attorney’s office that held real estate closings every now and then may mean well, but may not be the best person from whom to take advice when it comes time to buy or sell a home.
Just because someone declares something to be true, doesn’t mean it is. We live in a time where people can say anything, with very little repercussion. Inaccuracies can be brushed away with an “oops” and the process of holding someone accountable is rarely worth the effort.
Be certain that these major life decisions and financial investments you are making -or are about to make- are made with all available information and options considered. Consult a professional. If nothing else, you should at least know what you’re saying “no” to.
Have questions? Reach out; I’m here to help.
