Hi Chuck - You're right about that!  This market proved harder than most would have envisioned.  It's the flip side of the bull market and one day soon it will be history.  I'm very busy right now and every time it get as busy as thisI think we've turned the corner, only to learn that pricing pressures still continue.  I do feel we're close to the end - YAY!!!

Hi Leesa - If you're serious about one of the old buildings, the City is (was) offering grant money to help with the restoration.  Just say the word and I'll look into it :-)  It's September you know, isn't your mom getting impatient!!!

Hi Chuck - Interesting perspective....this has to be one of the more complex markets...  It is indeed a complex market, but in the end those markets which experiened the highest rate of appreciation are the very ones giving it back, it just seems to hurt more in a town where the average price is in the mid $170's.  A lot of people got in over their heads when they thought they were being priced out of the market...and for one reason or another, cannot hold on any longer.  Having spent 10 years as a loan originator I had a pretty good idea what was coming as a result of the imprudent loan practices of 2004 and 2005.  I don't feel as badly for the speculators as I do for the man on the street who was not given the straight facts by those who should have known better.  In 2005 our average home value was $220,000....it's been quite a comedown.