Avoiding The Snarl

Yum! Up until my son was three, just about everything went into his mouth. Slugs he found in the garden. His sister's elbow. The bannister.  I didn’t freak out too much, but maybe I should have. We were living in a house built in 1910 and as most real estate agents will tell you –– and ours told us –– if a house was built before 1978 it almost certainly has lead paint. The big concern is lead dust, most of which comes from paint that’s deteriorating. Our paint wasn’t deteriorating. According to the CDC, though, “ even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.”   And here’s a new one: The National Institute of Health sent out a release in June of this year that indicates that there’s a connection between heavy metals –– including lead –– and autism.  Federal law requires that if you’re buying a house built before 1978, the seller must provide you with an EPA-approved information pamph...

I don't believe there's a "cure" for autism and even if there were, I couldn't imagine inflicting it on my son. But I continue to explore the issue and I'm glad to see others do, too. Check out this video, produced by BBC Scotland .  Scottish TV legend Chris Packham reveals how his autism shapes his world, and why he would never want to change it. If you can't spare the time to watch the entire video, here's a summary in his own words: "We need to understand autistic people better, and not try to change who they are." Via BBC Stories You can reach me at 503-715-2852 or by email at brianb (dot) mrealty (at) gmail (dot) com.

I’m working with an out-of-town client to find a home in Portland she can retire to. She’s meticulous about valuing houses and so she instructs me to submit offers based entirely on practical criteria. As a result, her offers are substantially lower than what the houses are listed at.  But here’s the thing. The real estate market in Portland has changed. Speculation isn’t driving up prices the way it had for several years and a lot of sellers are surprised to find that not only do they get no offers over list, they get no offers at all. We’ve had several offers rejected out of hand only to see the houses still languishing on the market months later. Or pulled off the market entirely.  Emotionally, these sellers are convinced that no offer is better than a low offer.  In a changing market, you get to see just how good other realtors are and I have to say, some of the real estate agents I’ve come in contact with have been extraordinary. Others? Well, let’s ju...

Back when I was looking for someone to spend the rest of my life with, I put together a list of the things I wanted in a wife. I wanted her to be thoughtful, funny, kind, hard working, principled...  Then I met my now ex. She was beautiful, but not long after I closed escrow it became clear that the pretty exterior covered a rotted foundation. The maintenance alone was brutal, and a fter 12 years, no amount of fancy wall coverings could cover up the sagging roof line and cracks in the façade.  I did my very best up until she finally, mercifully, told me she wanted a divorce.  Fortunately, she already had another buyer moved in. I was able to dump the property and let him take over the payments.  And I learned an important lesson. One that I'm here to share with you. When I work with clients looking to buy a house, I ask them to put together a list of things they want in a home.  Then I make it a point to keep my clients accountable to...

This past weekend I took my son to the Special Olympics Oregon Youth Games . They were held at Nike’s world headquarters in Beaverton and if you’ve never been to Nike’s world headquarters, OH MY GOD! I would give up my career in real estate to work as a janitor at Nike if I got to go to be on that campus every day. They have a track that goes around the whole place, where you can run past swimming pools, golf courses, soccer fields, weight rooms… all for the use of the employees. (Are you reading this, anybody in HR at Nike?) Anyway. That’s not my point.  Special Olympics  puts on these events in all 50 states, focusing on teaching kids with intellectual disabilities the basics of a popular sport.  Last year my boy did track and field. This year he thought he’d try golf. And the kid is a friggin' natural. I mean, look at the picture I took of him making a chip shot! I’m not even sure what a chip shot is, but this one is perfect.  That’s not my poi...

This being Mental Health Awareness Week, you might think I’d want to talk about my son and mental illness.  And I do, just not at the same time.  My son is autistic. He is not mentally ill. He does not need to be “cured.” What my son needs is a little understanding, a lot of reminding, and a n environment that doesn't overstimulate him. He needs  a tree to climb, a problem to solve, a recipe to try, and an idea to share. He needs a father to protect him from bullies and charlatans and a teacher who doesn't freak out when he figures out the answer to a math problem in a totally unconventional way.  Mental illness is another thing entirely.  There are literally hundreds of distinct mental disorders and if you’re so inclined, take a look at an alphabetical compilation put together by Mental Health Matters  that they culled from the DSM-IV, DSM 5, ICD-10 Chapter V, and online resources.  Of those, the National Alliance on Mental I...