As I enter my 4th year in Real Estate I am full of excitement.  For anyone who entered the business in late 2005, it has been a very interesting three years.  As a Realtor in Florida, the prices have only gone down since I started selling real estate, yet I remain hopeful that things are only getting better.  My first three years were with RE/Max and it was a very good experience, yet our team recently had the opportunity to open our own office on Beach Drive in downtown St Petersburg and everything about the venture is exciting and full of hope.  ALVA International is named after my great grandmother, who was the first in our family to enter the real estate business.  Now my mother, sister and I have the opportunity to make our own unique place in the market.  We can concentrate more on our clients and give them the individualized service they deserve.  From Downtown condos, to Snell Isle and the Old NE, all the way to the Beaches, we can help them sell their homes or find the right home for their future.  So, while many are leaving the business, we feel this is the time to make our mark and be ready for the future.  Happy New Year to you all and may we all have a great 2009.