I learned at lot as an invited guest at this year’s Bryon Nelson golf tournament, talking with friends, peers in the industry, and random people that I met and/or asked for their philosophical take on life, the real estate economy, and the recession. Here are some takeaways:
• Argyle Day at the Byron Nelson was a dismal failure. Men should not wear argyle—unless he’s a player (in the tournament, not in life) and can therefore get away with wearing hot pink argyle golf pants.
• Things have gotten significantly better in the real estate world since last year’s tournament.
• Most successful people didn’t endure this recession with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. They learned that you need to be able to throw something back sometimes—which was why so many guests were sitting in a Skybox or a Villa watching the tournament.
• Phil Mickelson’s caddy has an incredible vertical leap—even when carrying a bag of clubs.
• Most people don’t hate their job anymore; they’ve just learned to manage it differently. Life is not a remote—you have to get up and change it yourself.
• Everything does appear to happen for a reason, but sometimes the reason is that people make really bad decisions. Like wearing 4-inch wedge heels with short shorts, spandex, or pink argyle golf pants to a golf tournament.
• Then there was this advice: “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you do criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.” I totally loved this guy!!!!
• And my personal favorite from an attorney: “If life gives you lemons, keep them. Because, hey—free lemons!”
I also learned some interesting employment statistics. Texas continues to rule in job growth. During the past year, six states, in total, added 787,000 jobs, according to government data for March. Nearly a third of these jobs were added in Texas, which is a sign that its diverse economy and sheer size make it the envy of other large states.
Here’s how the six states stacked up, in reverse order:
6. Michigan added 56,500 jobs
5. Ohio added 56,900 jobs,
4. Florida added 89,800
3. New York added 155,300 jobs.
2. California added 181,000 jobs
1. Texas added 245,700 jobs
The diversity of the state economy is helped by the state’s extremely low tax base. Low taxes + high diversity= low unemployment.
Susan Arledge is president of Arledge Partners Real Estate. Contact her at [email protected].
