For many, 2008 was a difficult year.  Many were troubled with financial problems, jobs were lost, homes were foreclosed and many had to tighten their belts just to survive. Real estate suffered on many levels, and for those of us in business the year certainly held many challenges.  Despite the negative media, tons of foreclosures and homes sitting on the market for a longer period of time, there were some positives that we need to look at.  Interest rates were at a reasonably low percentage for most of the year and have recently fallen even lower.  Home prices have dropped substantially and it really is a good time to buy.  We need to look to 2009 as a time to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again.  I am approaching my business this year with a very positive outlook.  Great agents are still around, only the strong survive during times like these.  To all my fellow realtors at Active Rain I look forward to conversing with you for another year - blogging about our clients, our life experiences, our good times and bad.  I wish you all a healthy, prosperous 2009 - Keep up the good work!

                                HAPPY NEW YEAR