2009   

Yesterday I blabbered on and on about how glad I was to see the end of 2008 and that I was looking forward to 2009.  Here's what I hope we'll see happen in 2009 related to real estate.

• Foreclosures will slow back to normal rates.
• The job market will recover and the economy will settle down to renew buyer confidence.
• Buyers will realize that interest rates are now phenomenal - coupled with great housing prices - and they'll return to the market.
• Investors will buy and restore homes in stigmatized neighborhoods, the resell rather than just renting.
• Agents who are only part-time or doing very little business will retire their licenses to allow full-time agents the chance to rebuild a strong reputation as people who work for clients exclusively - not just for a buck here and there.
• Desperate markets like in Florida, California, Michigan, Nevada will rebound in time to save the homes and pride of several thousand families.
• Interest rates will remain below 6 percent in order to maintain the market attraction for buyers.
• Appraisers will continue to proceed fairy and honestly.
• Home inspectors will also make integrity the cornerstone of their business and not try to simply scare and scar buyers from the process.
• Lenders will treat buyers the way they would want to be treated.

I hope your 2009 is amazing, prosperous, and filled with laughter, good investments, and love.