I just wanted to thank Matt Heaton for pointing this out tonight - I actually did not see it, until he brought it to my attention.  Thank you again!!

Last week I was interviewed by Matt Carter of Inman News. (Subscription may be required).  He asked me a series of questions regarding where I thought the market was going and what to do when "buyers just won't make a move".  I wish I had a crystal ball for buyers and sellers and I wish that I could give all the answers to the questions that have been laying around for months unanswered.    I can't forsee the future, but I do see that the buyers/seller have educated themselves and they research the market.  The one piece of advice that I will always stand behind is if you are buying a home to live in for at least 5 years - then buying is never a mistake.  It is better to buy a home and build equity than to pay rent.  There are homes in the 11357 zip code on the market that are affordable - listen, they may not be your "dream home" but it is a starting point.  You can always upgrade later. 

Here is a clip of the interview.   

"Broker Christine Forgione of Carollo Real Estate in Queens, N.Y., said buyers are educated, and realize that prices will only come down so far before interest rates go up.

Buyers "have watched prices come down, have read every real estate bubble article and have speculated that the market is going to bottom out," Forgione said. "My take on this is that to wait for the prices of homes to come down in price only means that the interest rates will go up. You cannot have both."

Like Crespillo, Forgione also makes a big picture pitch, telling potential buyers that owning a home makes good financial sense.

"I explain to them that it is better to pay more for a house and less for taxes than the reverse," Forgione said. "You will be paying the same amount in the long run, but it's better to have it building equity than going to taxes."

***Also, a huge shout out and congratulations to Robert Whitelaw,  Ira Freireich and Marguerite Crespillo.