By 9:30 p.m. early evening jitters melted into lusty cheers in an opulently appointed tavern at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg.

After bankrolling Gov. Charlie Crist's "Yes on 1," campaign to the tune of $1 million, the Florida Association of Realtors was holding an election night victory party for Amendment 1. Given that early polling suggested a nail-biter, party plans were made with crossed fingers.

Not long after the polls closed on Jan. 29, it was clear the $9.3 billion property tax slashing measure was headed for the state Constitution. Just as Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp was bounding onto a temporary stage to claim victory, fireworks exploded over Tampa Bay.

"There goes the last of our money," joked FAR immediate past president Nancy Riley, nodding to the pyrotechnics.

But just like most things in the Amendment 1 debate, all was not as it seemed.

Riley acknowledged to reporters the next day that the fireworks were not part of the FAR party. They were evidently sponsored by a venture capital conference going on at the Viony on the same day.

Gov. Charlie Crist enticed several Tallahassee reporters to the resort with an implied promise that he would be there to give his reaction to the election results. But Crist deflated coverage plans by giving only a 2-minute pep-talk before the polls closed. Then it was off to a private plane and Miami and another victory party for presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, the man Crist endorsed only a few days before.

And Amendment 1's promise of a $240 windfall for the average homeowner?

That remains to be seen, with experts acknowledging that at least some of the promised savings will be eaten up by increased assessments.

Just like the disappointed reporters who had to make do with a lieutenant governor, homeowners may be in for a surprise when it comes time to reap all of the promises of Amendment 1.