The ultimate cynic: Lucy Macken published a lovely tongue in cheek article in Monday's  (17/12) Sydney Morning Herald describing the process of selling her house at Christmas time as akin to a military campaign where all normal rules of family existence are suspended.  She also describes the process of appointing an agent (buying a listing) and the inevitable conditioning of vendors to meet the market, follow the link to read it while it's available: http://smh.domain.com.au/mission-accomplished-on-the-home-front-20121217-2bj2l.html