If there was one overriding theme to 2008, it has to be The News.  I don't think I am alone in saying that this past year I spent more time reading the newspaper, watching the news on TV, talking about current events with friends and strangers than ever before. 

First and foremost, we had the longest presidential campaign in history.  And, this campaign had so many twists and turns that if you didn't keep a vigilant eye on the men and women who threw their hats into the ring, you could lose track in which direction the campaign was heading. On top of the general campaign news, there was the historic firsts of Obama and Clinton. I also was fascinated by Sarah Palin - the trainwreck I admit to watching!

The economic downturn made me watch and read to try and decipher what happened to worldwide financial markets that caused this sudden shift. 

Severe weather patterns around the world made me watch storms with boys and girls names wreak damage in Haiti and other unfortunate spots.

I always gobble up Hollywood news so this year I tuned into Paul Newman's death, OJ's trial, Brad and Angelina's birth of twins.

And, now, I am busy reading about Bernie Madoff and the loss of billions of dollars in his Ponzi scheme.

So, good bye 2008 -  a truly newsworthy year!

Real Estate Hint #25 - Waiting for the bottom of the market.  In this bad economic climate, I have numerous clients who are waiting to purchase a house when the real estate market hits bottom.  I can understand the theory of buying in a market when prices are low.  But, when will the prices hit bottom? Nobody knows. By the time the news media tells the public that the market has hit its bottom, it will be too late. Prices will start to rise as soon as "everyone" thinks that they won't go any lower. It's the same with all "markets".  The person who will buy at the lowest point is the one who will take a chance before they read it in the newspaper or hear it on TV.  Is the bottom now? Next week? Next year? Impossible to tell.