When we look back on 2012 a long time from now, it may be viewed as the first year of the recovery, the year in which real estate reversed its course and moved in a more positive direction.

With that in mind, here are 13 reasons — courtesy of REALTOR® Magazine’s online news — why real estate pros can look forward to next year.

That’s not to say there aren’t challenges. Lending remains tight, there’s a large foreclosure backlog and regulatory challenges, and the fiscal cliff loom ahead. But on balance, real estate appears to have a bright future in 2013!