One of the most memorable vacations was spent this past summer in Austria. I was invited to visit the company I work for part-time. During that visit I was also priviledged to attend an outdoor opera at Lake Constance (or Bodensee as it's known in German). This year the opera was TOSCA. Every two years they change the opera and they had some great ones in the past that I was sorry to have missed. Anyhow, this was terrific I did not mind that I was pretty much in the dark about this opera and even if I would have known a little bit about it, it would not have been what I would have expected. The outdoor drama was totally modern with a technical light show, the stage is built over Lake Constance and the props were spartan and gostly looking and all part of the mystique, absolutely fantastic. The second thrill was that the Vienna Symphony was there, a double hitter. I recommend for anyone that ends up in this region on vacation during the summer month to plan around this outdoors event. One can purchase tickets on-line, but plan ahead they sell out fast, it's a popular vacation spot.

Real Estate is local and the Real Estate Market nationally has been somewhat flat in 2007, fortunately for us in Charlotte, North Carolina selling and buying is forging ahead. Sales may not have been at it's usual height of the past four years, but homes did move.

So if you are ready to sell your home, here are some tips maybe worth taking on.

Don't try to sell your "as is", unless you like bargain price offers. Spruce it up - set it apart from other homes being offered in your area.

Try using a Realtor one preferably that's been in business for several years and contrary to all believes he does not have to be from a national or the biggest company, but one that has the expertise and your best interest.

Get your house into the listing system and on-line as quick as possible. Getting a head start on your competionby not waiting until the last minute to spruce up your home, work on that to do list, be ready when the housing market revs up in March.

If you really need to sell quickly then it's time to throw in some incentives, buyers can be choosy for now.

For buyers my advise is not to wait too long, at the moment with plunging house values you can get a lot of extra's if you like a new home. Even with inventory low, builders want your business. Find yourself a seasoned agent that knows the builders in the Charlotte area. http://www.barbarakeefauver.com/

Real Estate Investors, with so many REO's out there (REO's are homes that failed to be auctioned off), if you always wanted to begin investing in homes, now is the time. Regardless if you are seasoned investor or a beginner there are many homes available with built in equity. http://www.barbarakeefauver.com/

Happy 2008, New Beginnings, New Resolution, Best Wishes to All!