The View from Here
A Message From Michael Saunders

My good friends:

Irrespective of one’s political persuasion, it’s hard not to feel utterly swept up in the atmosphere of optimism that has largely characterized President Barack Obama’s historic ascendency into the Oval Office. This new “Era of Good Feeling” is wholly palpable; and what a refreshing relief it is to begin the New Year in such a united and upbeat mood.

Although Americans still harbor a deep sense of apprehension over the economy, bipartisan confidence in President Obama’s ability to mend its cracks is extraordinarily high; with seven-in-ten Americans now voicing confidence that his proposals will succeed in getting the job done. (Source: Washington Post-ABC News Poll; Jan. 2009)

“Confidence,” is the key word here. Most economists believe the economy won’t reverse its downward trajectory until Americans regain their confidence in its financial institutions. Moreover, economic healing won’t begin until the housing market stabilizes, the experts agree; and President Obama promises housing stability as a first priority of his new administration. With new authority to spend the next round of TARP funds (Trouble Assets Relief Program), the president plans to press the banks into doing much more to directly help homeowners avert foreclosure. He also intends to send a strong and unequivocal message to these rescued institutions that TARP dollars must flow freely into the hands of creditworthy consumers.

So we have high hopes and much to look forward to in 2009; with confidence on the rebound and a bottomed-out real estate market providing the footing by which the rest of the economy pulls itself back up. That being said, I invite you to read on and enjoy.

Cordially,

We would love to hear your comments and suggestions as to what you would like to read in the weeks and months ahead. Please email them to me, care of editor@michaelsaunders.com. Meanwhile enjoy our tenth issue.

Broken Record
If we start to sound like a broken record, it’s because one simple truism bears constant repetition in today’s real estate market...
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Glass Half Full
With 2008 at last in the rearview mirror, some of us might fancy jamming the pedal to the metal to push it faster and further out of sight. We daresay it... View entire article

Faves I Crave
Courtesy of SarasotaMagazine.com
A tasteful year it has been. While not every morsel has been top notch, some food finds have been overwhelmingly scrumptious from first bite. I will not...
View entire article.

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