The issue of slums is one that has
dominated many the discussions over the
last three years for the UN. According to the "State
of the World's Cities 2006/7," released on
Monday by U.N. Habitat, the rate of urban
growth and that of slums was the highest in
sub-Saharan Africa, almost double the rate
in Southern Asia. Over 90 per cent of slums
are located in cities in the developing world,
"where urbanisation has become virtually
synonymous with slum formation," it notes.
It also predicts that by 2030, 80 per cent of
the world's urban population, or four billion
people, will be living in cities in the developing
world. In actual numbers, over half of
these, or 2.66 billion, will be living in Asia.
Two Indian cities, Mumbai and Delhi,
come in for special mention in the report as
future "metacities." Currently only Tokyo,
with a population of 35 million, qualifies for
that description.
But by 2020, the report states, Mumbai,
Delhi, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, New York,
Dhaka, Jakarta, and Lagos will have
achieved metacity status. God Bless the US...screwy elections and all. Comments?
As a researcher at heart, I have wondered in the last few months what sort of social consequences the market conditions have had on us. As a real estate agent, I know first hand the stress involved in a normal home sale situation. The frantic, panicked running around like a crazy women to vacuum your kid Cheerios off of the rug 5 minutes before a showing...the nervous feelings of panic when the home you have an offer on is being considered, the chaotic packing, moving cleaning, and new financial responcibilites...The list is endless. My thoughts are this...How has the new element of the market introduced new stressors?
There is some suggestion that chronic stress in particular, including stress related to housing issues, can adversely affect health and well being. This type of low-level, "everyday hassles" stress may be more difficult to address than stress associated with significant life events (Reding & Wijnberg, 2001), indicating that paying attention to low-level stresses may be just as important as paying attention to bigger stressors. Housing affordability can be a source of stress, often in addition to other stressors, for low-income people in particular (Mueller &Tighe, 2007). Stressors can also have widespread repercussions, with responses to the stress creating further stressful circumstances for the self and others. For example, the anxiety and stress associated with a lack of permanent, affordable housing may contribute to child neglect, with children in turn becoming depressed, aggressive or difficult for parents to handle (Leslie,2005).
Anyone out there want to sound in on the subject?
Ever walk into a home and feel "slimed"? What is it about the "feel" of a home? I have often wondered what elements make us "feel" at home. Many times my clients walk into a home, pause in the doorway and then decide if they "feel" like walking in. I have often wondered why they are sensing. Here is some research I have compiled to provide a platform for my reflection...
It is too simplistic to see housing as merely a physical dwelling in which one resides. The World
Health Organization (WHO) (Bonnefoy, 2007) defines housing as being based on four interlinked
levels, with an array of possible health effects in each:
■■ the physical structure, including factors such as mould growth, quality, design, and noise
exposure;
■■ the meaning of "home" as a protective, safe and intimate refuge where one develops a
sense of identity and attachment;
■■ the immediate housing environment, including the quality of urban design (e.g., public
services, playgrounds, green space, parks, places to socialise); and
■■ the community, that is, the quality of the neighbourhood and its relation to social cohesion,
sense of trust and collective efficacy.
Shaw (2004) categorises these levels in a model that indicates how housing affects health,
through direct and indirect, hard and soft ways (see Figure 1). This paper mainly concentrates on
the direct, "soft" ways in which housing can influence health, that is, the effects of poor housing;
insecurity and debt; and housing as a component of general wellbeing, ontological security3 and
social status perception. Each of these issues is addressed in the following sections.
Poor quality housing/housing conditions
In his review of the relationship between the built environment and mental health, Evans (2003)
notes that house type (e.g., high-rise), floor level, and housing quality (e.g., structural problems)
have all been linked to mental health. Studies on house type have suggested that high-rise,
multi-dwelling units are detrimental to psychological wellbeing, particularly that of mothers with
young children and possibly the children themselves (Evans, Wells, & Moch, 2003). This may
be due to social isolation, a lack of access to play spaces that promote social interaction, the
stigmatisation of high-rise living, or a combination of these. Evans, Wells and Moch's (2003)
Any Thoughts Spokane Home Owners?
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Hi all! Bring your families to enjoy kid friendly crafts, games, booths, and puppets! Kids Day @ Riverfront Park! August 9, 2008 It will be open from 11:00am - 4:00pm
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ALSO...
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On August 16, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m There will be another free to the Public family friendly event!
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Saving the World from Ordinary Service™
At Friendship Based Real Estate we care! Our objective is as our name says, "Friendship-Based". We genuinely care about people. We strive to achieve the best possible outcome for our clients. We take care of them with sincerity and honesty, treating them with respect and loyalty. We are very thankful to be in such a unique position to serve... Helping people is what we do!
Friendship Based Real Estate®
Saving the World from Ordinary ServiceTM
www.SarahSpokane.com
Friendship Based Real Estate®
Saving the World from Ordinary ServiceTM
www.SarahSpokane.com
Have you ever had a experience that only took a moment of time, but changed your life forever? I have....
Here is the story: My adopted grandfather, Ray Murphy, passed away last year in Spokane, WA and I was the one who ended up packing up his belongings and cleaning out his condo. My children were aged one and two and I was already tired to the bone. (With children only 19 months apart...I had not had a full nights sleep in several years.) The stress and grief of the situation combined with my chronic sleep deprivation to create a brittle and ugly layer over my mood and attitude.
So, here I am surrounded the natural chaos of small children packing and cleaning the home of a ailing loved one. They are running through the 50 years of accumulation and clutter while howling like two monkeys on steroids. To escape the noise, I closed myself in his bedroom and started cleaning out his dresser. Among the many bits of paper and mismatched buttons, I found a men's wedding band. I stared at it in the light of that autumn afternoon and time stood still....It took me a moment to realize what I was looking at. My grandfather had never married until he fell in love with the love of his life, Dorthea, in his late 30's. Dorthea had passed away in 2000 and I had forgotten that Ray had stopped wearing his wedding band.
As I stared at that ring, my life focused. I saw a flash of the future and envisioned my daughter holding my wedding band in her hand as she was organizing the final details of my life. In a moment, I knew mortality. I knew death with a finality that was stunning. I was forever changed.
I decided in that moment to live. To truly live. To stop focusing on the parts of life that are stressful, mundane, and unproductive, and to live a live of focused purpose. To laugh with my children and chase them around the living-room with their toothbrushes rather than stressing that they are past their bedtime. I decided to be brave and try a career I could love rather than one I worked 7 years going to college for. I made a determination with myself that I would find beauty and joy in the small moments of magic that everyday life creates. That I would sing and dance without being embarrassed, and cry when I wanted to.
Since then, I have always worn Ray's ring on the pointer finger of my right hand. There have been many times that I have been in the middle of the drama and chaos that is residential real estate that I have consciously looked down at my right hand and re-centered myself.
I know now that the moment that I am in now will be lost in the next. I choose to live.
Sarah Reinhart with Friendship Based Real Estate is one of the most energetic, pleasant and delightful REA's I have ever had the pleasure to work with. I have worked with several through the last few years and none has ever been this delightful and with it. She's efficient and quick she has a knack and what seems to be a God given ability and special talent to work with people as well as very smart and extremely creative. It seems even though one would need money to pay the bills she will most assuredly put the interests and special needs of her clients before hers. My husband & I had one of the most creative and difficult needs as far as combining a residence and a special commercial business property. We had to make sure it was presentable, complete and allowed for a reputable business to be ran from. I believe with the help of the almighty and Sarah who was given direction, grace and favor pulled this off. We found a much desired very peculiar piece of property and it had some extra extra special needs and requirements that had to be full filled in order to get a loan and get it acceptable and wow with her expertise we all did. So hats off to Sarah and her team. She would be an excellent Real Estate Agent for anyone needing or wanting any type of property and I believe she will accomplish it for you. Thanks again Sarah you are great!!!!!!!!! Sincerly, Brenda Liggett.
Sarah is outstanding! She has a unique combination of "caring" and "competence" that makes her shine. She sold my house in 3 hours at full price! -G
Sarah put my worries to rest. She talked me through my concerns and then held my hand through the process. We got full price on our home and sold it in less than a week! -CB
Sarah is a wonderful example of Christ in her business. She follows the golden rule and puts others before her self. She truly cares about my well being and goes the extra mile for my sake. Don't settle for just any agent. Choose wisely. Choose Sarah! - Pastor Mark Hamilton
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