(Crystal Proenza is associate editor of Real EstateFlorida.)

GAINESVILLE, FL-Consumer confidence in the state has risen fivepoints over the last month to 67, according to a survey conductedby the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and BusinessResearch. Despite the bit of positive news for the state'sstruggling retail sector, experts warn that the increase ofconfidence may be short-lived because many retailers will have tofile for Chapter 11 in the new year.

"One reason confidence has gone up is because it has been solow, reaching an all-time low at 59 this June," says Chris McCarty,director of UF's Survey Research Center, which publishes themonthly report based on responses from more than 400 residentstelephoned at random. The rise in confidence this month has to dowith the nature of the five questions within the survey, he tellsGlobeSt.com. "Three of them are forward looking and two pertain tocurrent conditions. As with the past month, consumers are confidentthat the new administration will resolve the economic crisis andthat much of the intervention so far will work." Florida residentshave absorbed most of the bad news relating to the economy and atthis point are hoping for better news in the future. However, justbecause a turn around is expected it does not mean people will goout and spend, says McCarty.