Malaise: Stage II

Where have all the flowers gone?

DURING the whole of a dull, dark, and soundless day in the autumn of the year, when the clouds hung oppressively low in the heavens, I had been passing alone, on horseback, through a singularly dreary tract of country; and at length found myself, as the shades of the evening drew on, within view of the melancholy House of Usher. I know not how it was — but, with the first glimpse of the building, a sense of insufferable gloom pervaded my spirit. … I looked upon the scene before me — upon the mere house, and the simple landscape features of the domain — upon the bleak walls — upon the vacant eye-like windows — upon a few rank sedges — and upon a few white trunks of decayed trees — with an utter depression of soul …

Thus opens the THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER by the world’s first short story craftsman, Edgar Allan Poe. You can’t see it in the houses themselves, but some of the listings in San Diego East County are growing cobwebs. They’re becoming grey and cracked around the edges.

Yes, there is malaise. Buyers, sellers, lenders and Realtors feel it. The phrase “these are the times that try men’s souls” was the opening line from the pamphlet The Crisis that Thomas Paine wrote in December 1776. Today millions of Americans are feeling tried and tired. Malaise. Let’s look at some tired old listings starting with a venerable listing on the market for over 700 days:

Malaise strikes even our best friend

Stage II is difficult. Stage I was the frenzy of speculation, the recognition of a crisis, the scramble to assess the damage. Stage II is the acceptance and waiting to see the full effect. Stage III is … well, you tell me.

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[data from generally reliable sources, please comment on any errors!]