The Inauguration party in Washington D.C. is over. It appears to me that the new President is the kind of medicine that we need... right about now. "Change" & "Hope" were the tag lines for his run to the Presidency, I am optimistic about this change, I believe the infamous "economic stimulus package" will actually become reality very soon and that it will help my clients; the homeowners in distress. I am optimistic that we will see the housing market stop the slide and start the slow, long recovery.

I like this young president, a black man who grew up with no father figure, no silver spoon to speak of and from an economic background that could have never be expected to be worthy of a house like the one he will be living in for the next four years... The white house. He has done it! He has made history. I am pleased because I followed for the very first time a Presidential election very closely, I was rooting for him to win. His swearing in ceremony is not the end of my following, it is just the beginning. A long time ago, a black man dreamed a dream and today that dream is reality! 

Barack Obama was able to take advantage of the very few opportunities he had. He become educated enough to reach for the stars, he understood that the success in his life would depend on his skills, determination and hard work. He represents an incredible change for many different reasons, but for a large minority of his peers he is an icon and he is clearly telling them, if I can do it... YOU can do it too! There are no barriers out there anymore. There are no more excuses, if you work hard, you can reach the highest possible job anyone can aspire to get. What is better than the job of President of the United States of America? African Americans are inspired to reach for the stars, when they do, we will all benefit from that change. I am optimistic that it will happen, we are looking at the making of history but we must not forget that we are a part of it.

The challenges are numerous and we should support his presidency and allow enough time for this economic recovery to take place, it will be done under enormous scrutiny and with great expectations. But he cannot do it alone, we have a part to play on this recovery. We must be on board because there is a place on it for each one of us. Our success as business people depends on the success of our government. There are a lot of reasons for us to be optimistic. But our optimism must be contagious enough to reach our clients, the sellers and buyers of real estate, because that is the first step to a full recovery. A small step forward from each of us will help all of us! Change is what he promised, change is what we need.

Antonio & Alexia Cardenas "The Realtors In Motion"

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area counties of Alameda and Contra Costa. Selling Real Estate since 1985. Visit us on line: www.ListedByAntonio.com