That the inauguration of
Barack Obama was historic is
an undeniable fact. We were
struck by his call to
"reaffirm our enduring
spirit; to choose our better
history; to carry forward
that precious gift, that
noble idea, passed on from
generation to generation."
His address tasks "this
generation of Americans" to
move away from
irresponsibility and "our
collective failure to make
hard choices and prepare the
nation for a new age." He
exhorts America to "set
aside childish things" and
go forward as "risk-takers,"
"doers," and "makers of
things" instead of choosing
"leisure over work" or
seeking only the "pleasures
of riches and fame." His
scope is broad, but it would
be hard not to see in his
words a reflection of the
real estate bubble, when
homes were bought without
down payments or any real
ability to pay, and when
riches were made while
neglecting prudent financial
care.
As students of generational
behaviors, we noted that his
address alluded to the
team-work "can-do"
personality of the G.I.
Generation who won a war on
two fronts, ushered in the
age of invention and put a
man on the moon. His call to
renew that spirit has
resonated with the
Millennial Generation and
the young Gen Xers.
Researchers have already
tagged them as the "next
Greatest Generation" in the
footsteps of the G.I.
Generation.
We saw a note of
chastisement of the "narrow
interests" of the Me
Generation and the "lack of
decision making" of the
Silent Generation, though he
never specifically singling
out a group or a generation.
He challenges us all to join
in the cause of "common
purpose and the necessity of
courage" in remaking
America.
In his call to remake
America, he reminds us of
past brave Americans who
embodied "a spirit of
service; a willingness to
find meaning in something
greater than themselves."
And then he exhorts us,
saying, "...at this moment -
a moment that will define a
generation - it is precisely
this spirit that must
inhabit us all...What is
required of us now is a new
era of responsibility....."
Indeed, it is the term
"responsibility" that rings
most loudly in his address.
It is a call to apply
ourselves to the many
problems that we have
neglected. And for us, it is
a call to rededicate our
profession to the
responsible representation
of clients and to the part
we must play in restoring
the housing market to
financial health.
President Obama's final
words should call us all to
action. "Let it be said by
our children's children that
... we carried forth that
great gift of freedom and
delivered it safely to
future generations."Carmen and Lloyd Multhauf are the founding developers of the Generational Housing Specialist™ Council, a national real estate designation that focuses on the unique impacts made by different generations in establishing housing trends, financial products, negotiating skills and reaching a successful closing.
Carmen and Lloyd Multhauf are the founding developers of the Generational Housing Specialist™ Council, a national real estate designation that focuses on the unique impacts made by different generations in establishing housing trends, financial products, negotiating skills and reaching a successful closing.
