Starting the day after Christmas, attention will focus on the new year. With this, both resolutions and predictions move to center stage.

Since the market has slowed lately (both seasonally and economically), I have been spending a great deal of time preparing for 2009. New technology, a new "niche" website and blog, a new contact management program, adding a new "farm," a new education/coaching program, and developing some new twists on old marketing schemes are all figuring into my 2009 plan. I have also been analyzing what worked in 2008 to determine whether it stays or goes in 2009. But I'll write more about these items over the next few weeks and hope that you will share your plans as well.

I'm also going to save my Predictions and Resolutions for later. Frankly, the writing over the next few days will help to crystallize all the ideas that have been bouncing around my head into solid goals.

So here are a few pluses and minuses that I think we all need to consider in our thinking about 2009:

PLUSES

• Low interest rates
• A Large Inventory
• Pent-up Demand
• Investors seeing real estate as the "investment of choice"

MINUSES

• Buyer Fear of the Unknown (Economy; Job Loss)
• Tighter Credit Guidelines
• (On Cape Cod) Springtime Listing Flood
• Continued Foreclosures (in spite of the Federal bailout)

There is a lot to think about. The most important consideration for everyone who wants to have a good year in 2009 is this: BE PROACTIVE. Anyone who sits around and waits to see what happens is bound to be disappointed.

Your thoughts and comments are welcome!