I can't tell you how many people stop me to ask how my business is now more than ever.  I can tell you when things were clipping along at an obviously active pace a few years ago it was not a daily question.  It was just assumed that homes and land were selling and that if you owned a home it was a good investment.  Now standing in line at the grocery or hanging out by the grill with friends that question is a burning one on virtually everyone's mind.  "Is anything moving?"  "Has anything sold?"  If I have a transaction going on they want to know the details.  I'd love to tell them that everything is OK - and really that is what they want to hear.  But its tough being truly honest with people without sounding like "debbie downer".  I basically say to people that if they are in financial straits its a rough ride right now. But if they have good employment or money stocked away for retirement there is huge opportunity.  Especially in the Flathead Valley where regular working man affordability practically went out the window just a few years ago.  Now it is back and folks that have secure jobs ought to be going out and purchasing that investment property they thought they could never afford.  Go and do it now while interest rates are so low.  Real estate in the Flathead Valley will start to go up - it definitely is going to take a few years to turn around "the Titanic" but with a long term outlook "its a good thing" (Thanks Martha Stewart)