We were inundated with one news story after another, mostly and unbelievably negative about the real estate industry in 2007. The media sounded like a broken record with their overkill from singing the same song, same verse: the sky is falling. Many people decided for whatever reason to believe it, mostly out of fear of the unknown, I suppose. Perhaps, it was just a knee jerk reaction to what people believed was a bad market. Still, it didn't stop opportunity from knocking.

We all know that a certain amount of our population will always be on the move. Life happens and change is ever constant! There it goes again, opportunity is knocking:

• people marry
• people divorce
• families grow
• seniors downsize
• seniors want second homes
• investors make changes to their portfolios
• first time homebuyers are ready to have their slice of the American pie

Call it what you want to, downturn, correction, seller's market, buyer's market, yadda yadda... it doesn't matter. Why? Because the basic fundamentals of real estate stay the same and smart Realtors know it is just another business cycle. Seasons change and so do business cycles.

True real estate professionals will embrace these opportunities that a new business cycle brings and meet the challenges head on. We know our business, we are the experts and we are passionate about our customers/clients. Real estate is our chosen profession. We are here because we want to be, not because we have to be.

Tough times? No doubt, it has been for many home buyers and sellers; Realtors too for that matter. Good times? Yes, I think so. Why? Because it brings out the best. Buyers have better choices with higher inventory levels and do not have to get into bidding wars and pay ridiculously inflated prices; sellers who are serious about selling their home and have the good sense to be reasonable and fair about pricing, working closely with their Realtor will achieve their goal; and both buyers and sellers benefit because those Realtors who are left after the smoke clears, are the ones who "dug in" a long time ago, are committed to the long hours of hard work and dedication that is required to succeed and deliver stellar customer service. Consumers are left with Realtors who are proven to be true professionals, skillful and knowledgeable in their chosen field, who

• hit the ground running
• embrace change
• persevere
• adapt
• focus
• apply knowledge and skills
• leverage their passion
• make a continuous effort
• see obstacles and overcome them
• deliver

Just after midnight when the ball dropped in Time Square and 2008 was ushered in with great cheers, hugs, and laughter, a poll at the time was reporting that 86% of Americans believed 2008 will be great! Let's keep this forward momentum going. Happy New Year.

Donna Yates, Realtor
North Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains
www.move2northgeorgia.net
donna@ellijay.com