Many people feel that this is the worst market in decades and that many Realtors are dropping like flies.  How can I say that this is a good time to be in Real Estate?  The answer to that is two-fold.

First, although sales are off, now is an excellent time to create business relationships with people, such as networking and touching base with your sphere of influence. With the bottom at the end of the tunnel and some light appearing just ahead, it would be good to have customers for when they feel the market has turned.

Next, now is the time to perfect you niche in the market that you are going after.  Many people are going after distressed properties, while others are focused on selling or buying.  Now is the time to develop yourself as a Realtor or agent, and laugh in the face of rejection. There are many agents that have sold 30 or more properties this year, because they have selected a niche in the market and perfected methods to obtain more and more clients with it. You can to, it just needs to be the one that fits you best.

Finally, don't be afraid of rejection. Many agents became lazy due to the success of 4-6 sales per week and in some cases, per day, where clients came to them. You have to go to the clients or do something different to get their attention. Without that you will get lost in the shuffle of agents.

From a buyer's perspective, now is a time to get Monster Homes for 200-300K  in Modesto that are actively listed and not a short sale or a foreclosure. At least that is what they are going for in my region. Imagine a 3000-3500 SF home for that price.  When the market turns, these people will make a nice profit when they sell for 100-200 K more than that. 

If you think now is not the time to be in Real Estate, then look at the opportunities that this market has provided agents, buyers, and sellers.