Let's face it - who's going to miss 2009??  Real estate has been hammered for the last couple of years.  Agents have struggled to stay in business, many homeowners have faced foreclosure, and sellers have had to sell their homes for much less than they ever imagined.  Even buyers, the purported winners in a down market, have been dismayed by tight lending, lengthy closings, and frustrating short sales.

Despite the challenges, there were some bright spots in 2009:

• Interest rates remained historically low
• Housing inventory was at its lowest level in 2 years
• Days on market considerably in most areas
• The $8,000 tax credit worked, causing a surge in pending home sales
• Seattle area home prices went up for 6 consecutive months