Photo by Ed Waters, Jr. Nicole Lapera-Holler was installed as president of the Frederick County Association of Realtors on Thursday. Congratulating her are Steve Meszaros, president of the Maryland Association of Realtors, and Larry Riggs, past president of the local association.

She faced a challenging year in the past 12 months, but Lapera-Holler said she has a positive outlook for 2010.

Larry Riggs, who served as president before Lapera-Holler, praised her leadership and confidence in heading the organization.

Lapera-Holler was 29 when she became FCAR president, the youngest person to head the local real estate group.

"It has been a great year," she told the audience, which included her husband, Justin, and parents.

"There has been a positive upturn in the market, we have the $8,000 incentive (for first-time homebuyers), though foreclosures and short sales have been a challenge."

While sales have picked up, the number of distressed homes entering the market added to the inventory and kept sale prices down.

Before re-installing Lapera-Holler, Maryland Association of Realtors President Steve Meszaros congratulated the local organization on reaching Realtor Political Action Committee fundraising goals. He urged the new association officers and directors to share their expertise and personal efforts with the association and the community. He said such efforts by real estate agents helped bring about the $8,000 first-time buyers tax credit, and may result in the tax credit being extended.

Other officers and directors installed included Sandra Fouche, president-elect; Charles "Chuck" Hawley, secretary; Michael Kurtianyk, treasurer; Larry Riggs, past president; and directors Norma Boone, Diane Derr, Leslie Fulford, Mary "Meg" Gawler and Lisa Goodman.

Lapera-Holler holds a bachelor's degree from Towson University and MBA from Frostburg State University. She worked with her mother, Joan, during summers home from college and joined the Frederick real estate organization in 2000.