This past year proved to be quite a challenge for our industry. We first had to deal with negative news stories about a housing bubble, then the mortgage meltdown, and finally the credit crunch. Gone from the landscape are several large corporations that were once mainstays within their respective industries. It seems that everyone is looking to the government to bail themselves out and our own State of Wisconsin is looking at a budget shortfall totaling several billion dollars. Our personal retirement plans have been decimated and volatility within the market hasn't gone away. So what's in the cards for 2009?

Although we can find prognosticators that will predict a recovery in the second half of this year, some are more reserved with their advice, and predict a recovery as late as 2015. Will the new administration be able to instill the consumer confidence that is needed to ignite a recovery, and will the stimulus plans provide the jump start that's needed to get us back on track? At this point, there is no one that will guarantee anything, and what we make of the new market is largely a personal decision.

The facts of the matter remain quite simple. Housing is a necessary commodity, and remains a basis of the "American Dream". There is an abundance of property in every price range to meet the consumer demands and expectations. Mortgage money is still available, subject to more logical underwriting standards. Even with the changing market, real estate has retained values better than nearly any other investment. There are numerous predictions about what will lift us out of our economic troubles, but the most consistent answer is a revival in the housing industry. We hope you agree and desire to be a part of the recovery. Our role in this process is to educate consumers and be the professional voice that they look to in making their long term investments.

I wish each of you a happy and prosperous New Year.