What will you find in 2009?  Success, frustration, new experiences, a new you?  Every year we look back to the previous year and think, what could we have done different or change to have made more sales or be a better Realtor?  Sometimes, you just need to just continue looking forward and do what you do best and you will automatically become a better Realtor just by the fact that you recognize that you want to try harder.  The Market, Buyers, Sellers and other Realtors are our job and it's up to us to keep up to date with all of it and the rest will just happen as long as you let it.  Realtors naturally work hard or they wouldn't be able to make a living, we stay up to date and keep our emotions in check and the rest hopefully is meant to be.  Here's to a great 2009, Success and Happiness to all.

Hi Everyone, I was just thinking how important it is, at such a sensitive time in Real Estate, that we are careful about how often we throw our opinions out in the world to anyone that will listen.  Considering that someone from south Florida asks me what I think the market will do, or how the bailout will effect us, I can only respond by what my experience is in my own local market.  I can't promise anything and am definitely not going to tell someone that they will be fine, especially if they live 300 miles away.  On the same note, I am amazed with the amount of people that act at the drop of a dime on anything that is written on the front page of the newspaper, like they know something we don't.  I just want everyone to remember that working hard in any job is what is needed, saving a little more until we feel we are comfortable with the economy again.  There are still Buyers and Sellers out there that HAVE to Buy or Sell because of their situation at that time, relocating, increase family etc...  So there is still hope and another day after today and it will be up to us to make sure that our clients know that we really do know what we are doing, continue to stay calm, even if it means that we tell our Seller to wait a couple of months to list their home if they can.  Again, it's all about you knowing your own local market and your experience will lead the way.  Chins up everyone, we have to be the positive ones to get us back on track.

To all Realtors, I would like to say thank you and Congratulations for working so hard no matter how long it takes.  If you make it to closing, than you most likely did everything you could for your Buyers and/or Sellers to make sure the transaction had a happy ending.  I am in the process of getting ready to close in 6 days on a home I had listed for approx. 8 months, mainly because of the Buyers market and the over $600,000 price tag.  I have know my Sellers for 3 years and kept up with them since I sold their last home 3 years ago.  When I took this listing, I knew this would be difficult for my Sellers emotionally and me marketing to the Buyers.  It took 8 months, a lot of marketing, counseling and patience, but it was worth it because I know my Sellers will be able to breathe better in 6 days.  I will give an update after closing so I don't jinx the process, but remember, whether it takes 3 days or 3 years with a customer this is your life and it's up to you on how you want it to end up.  You can say thanks and hope they come back to you when they need another Real Estate professional, or you can keep up with them and know that when they are ready you are there for them.  Again, the hard work and perseverance is worth it and you are a better Realtor for it as well.  Good Luck everyone.

I would like to thank the ActiveRain owners for giving us the opportunity to not only let us vent online to other professionals that know what we are going through, but also giving us another free way to build our business.  I just closed on my first home that I sold to another Realtor that found me on ActiveRain.  Even though I have been a Realtor for years, it is always unique to gain business through networking online.  I also want to thank Christine, a Realtor from south Florida, for trusting me enough to help find her daughter a condo and everything went pretty smooth.  It is always a treat to see how other Realtors get their business and since we pay for almost everything, I am always looking for credible websites to help me show my listings, especially for free.

Thanks again, it will be another great year!