Sorry to hear about your job loss, Todd, but you may wish to consider carefully what you choose to do just because of the timing. When real estate is in a nose dive with problems on both the consumer and financing end of things, are you sure this is the right time to give this market a go? Just wondering.

You might consider part timing things temporarily until things start upward again. This would enable you to 'learn the ropes' and get your ducks in a row ready for the big run. In the meantime you could do some part time internet work or get a part time job to help support the family.

Sometimes success or failure has more to do with timing than skill, knowledge, backing, or determination.

Some ideas for you: Join the local Chamber of Commerce and participate in their activities, especially their get acquainted events.

Join Toastmasters and sharpen your communication skills while networking with businessmen and women.

Re-consider the first time home buyer market. They're often the most difficult to get financing for, especially when the market is tight as it is now. They have no track record for one thing, are often setup by sharpies because they don't know the ropes, and more often than not have unrealistic ideas of what it takes, financially, to buy a home. They'll get you in the middle and then announce that they can't do it because they don't have enough funds saved yet...and you end up wasting time and spinning your wheels in quicksand.

Good luck whatever comes or goes.

Sandi Bowman