I've been hearing the real estate market has picked up:

1. I seem to be attracting buyer clients that can barely rub two nickles together and qualify for a  low mortgage. However, they all want the SFH in the nice neighborhood where everyone else wants to live.  Their price range is full of short sales (I'll take the full blow REO any day). Result - frustration
2. Good properties in good condition at the right price will attract buyers that have been on the sidelines saving their down payment and getting their financial house in order.  Rates below 5% is getting people off the fence. Result - multiple offers on "new to market properties"
   
3. Home Inspectors - most dropped out of the business when it was "slow".  I wish more real estate agents had dropped out. 
   
4. Underwriters - typical BS.  When it was busy, mortgage companies kept a "lean staff" in order to realize more profit.  It got slow, they got rid of people, it's starting to get busy, they don't want to hire in case it slows down again (do they know something we don't) or they want to realize more profit.
5. Title companies -- t's always been been difficult to get end of month dates.  This is an FHA anomaly because of the way the interest payment is structured for FHA mortgages.  It's beneficial to the borrower to settle at the end of the month since they'll have to pay the full month's interest anyway.  It shouldn't matter for conventional or other types of loans.  This FHA quirk also cause "end-of-month" blues during the "good times" when FHA was rarely used.  

So, yeah, it's Spring, rates are at or under 5%, prices are  low, some of the banks are finally selling their inventory for prices people can afford.  As the old saying goes, "Make hay while the sun is shining".  If you think this is the beginning of some upward trend, I have a bridge I want to sell ya!  Shhh. Don't tell the buyers, that, though.