Economic and Housing Recovery: The Glass is Half-Empty View from Bainbridge Island, Washington

If you are looking for more good news in the real estate market, don't talk to local appraisers. They have a pretty dim view of the next few months. 
 
Appraisers are seeing more distressed properties coming across their desk and its making them a bit pessimistic about values. Just ask anyone who is in the middle of a refinance what the thought of their appraisal.  That's bound to continue to spill over to appraisals on sales.
 
Buyers are out there: I have 16 different couples and singles pre-approved for a home purchase and only three are actively making offers this week. The rest are dipping their toes in the water, but not jumping in just yet. 
 
Sure would like to see an nice fall where they make the big leap, wouldn't you?