Fear Creates Opportunity: How to Embrace the Bugs

My daughter is terrified of bugs. A bee, a mosquito, even a tiny fly—she will be having the best time on a playground but if a bug comes near her, she panics. A full-on scream, tears, and a dramatic run in the opposite direction.

So I sat down to talk to her about this fear. “Bugs can be scary,” I said. “They fly at you without warning. But they’re not trying to hurt you—they’re just living in their world. And if we want to enjoy the sunshine, the breeze, the fun of being outside, we have to learn to live with a few bugs. Otherwise, we miss out.”

And as I said that, it hit me: this is the same conversation I have with clients all the time.

In real estate, the “bugs” are everywhere—risk, uncertainty, things you can’t control. Deals fall through. Maintenance surprises pop up. The market shifts. Interest rates climb. And for many people, those risks are enough to keep them “inside”—watching from the sidelines, waiting for a perfect moment that never comes.

But here’s the thing: fear creates opportunity. In moments like the one we’re in now—when uncertainty swirls and everyone’s nervous—the best opportunities often emerge. Fewer buyers means more negotiating power. Less competition means motivated sellers. The investors who can calmly assess risk and act strategically are the ones who win.

If there was no risk, everyone would do it. But some of the best deals I’ve seen came from the bug-ridden spaces—properties others passed on because they couldn’t see past the mess. But the savvy investor? They know which bugs are harmless, which ones to watch for, and how to turn uncertainty into long-term gain.

You don’t need to be fearless to succeed in real estate. You just need to know how to manage fear—and still step outside.

If you're ready to take the next step and turn uncertainty into opportunity, I’d love to help you find the right path. Let’s talk about your goals and find a strategy that works—even with a few bugs along the way.