I'd love to say I just returned from Grand Cayman, but it's actually been nearly 3 weeks. I arrived home just in time for our Top10 researcher, Ron, to leave for Grand Cayman for 2 weeks. A very nice way for both of us to cap off our best year ever, but it always takes a few days to shake off the sand and rum and store our dive gear when we return. My October and November clients were treated to some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee - one of the world's best - in their goodie baskets. And maybe a Cohiba or two. :)

Thanks to the Feds, this just may be the best month ever to buy your Las Vegas retirement or vacation home. The Federal Reserve and the Federal Home Loan Banks' announcement that they will buy up to $600 billion in mortgage-backed securities quickly sent the 30-year fixed rate to near lows for 2008.

For all of you who told us you wish you had bought during the 2004 boom, this is your chance. With housing prices at 2003 to 2004 levels and 30-year fixed rates at close to 5%, this is a real opportunity. Factor in that the banks are hungry and this is typically the slow season with fewer buyers in the market, and I think you have a recipe for success. If a Perfect Storm connoted something good, I guess I'd call it that.

If we had a Top10RealEstateValues.com award, the 2008 winners would definitely be Tony and Lyla. This couple, who are enjoying a very successful year rehabbing foreclosures, bought 4 homes in 60 days. These nearly-new 3-bedroom REOs were picked up for $142,000 to $191,000. Once the economy picks up and housing prices begin to rebound - as always happens - they will be sitting on a nice little real estate portfolio.

Those of us here at Top10RealEstateValues.com want to wish each of you, our clients and readers, a very happy holiday tomorrow!

Robin, Ron, Phyllis, Darwin and Michelle

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