The top story for 2008? Two words: The economy.

Many of this year’s top stories are connected to the worldwide economic woes. While the current downturn is, to some extent, a correction of the overly-robust market boom, all weak markets have an inherent sensitivity to additional bad news, and federal officials must now tread carefully as they guide a return to stability.

EarlyBird editors chose the following as Florida real estate’s top stories in 2008: