From the Sarasota Real Estate market to Long Island to Spokane its all the same - Hesitation!! When the downturn first started economists were scratching their heads and saying that all the normal indicators of a slow down were absent. No recession No increase in mortgage rates etc. It's because this time the downturn had been caused by the media and that seems to be the consensus from realtors around the country. The downturn was rapid because the papers told everyone the market is too hot, it’s going to crash and so forth every day. They still continue to mention on a weekly basis that the bottom has not been reached yet, that mortgages are nearly impossible to obtain, if you find a house that is perfect for you stop and calculate the gas cost to work and school, maybe you should be closer. Hey how about the hard working couple who has the down payment and is enthusiastic about their first home? The paper says hold on you might loose your jobs in this climate, the values will still drop etc. I believe this will continue until people finally say I've got to go ahead with life and do what I’m going to do and never mind the news.