Markets are cyclical in nature...we're used to recognizing the boom and bust rhythms in the stock market side of investment, but we often ignore the equivalent nature of housing markets. There does seem, too, a seven year pattern for ups and downs...if things appear at equilibrium, it's a transitory moment, between two options: going up or going down. A transition moment, between two market cycles, is often marked by "everything on the table": price reductions along with price stability or even small testing increases; tales of further corrections & doom scenarios combined with reports of strong sales, even in upper tier priced options and in discretionary/resort based areas; an "end of the world" fear mindset that insists on deflation & a need for cash coupled with sudden decisions to return to hard asset investment options as a way to ride out currency instability fears/to preserve capital. What's the average person to think, viewing the "shout news", full of disaster & gloom, while struggling to make the right decisions for a family's future? Let's remember that seven year cycle, that underpins all the surface news. It is now noted that the slowdown in real estate, in all secondary home/discretionary and resort based areas, and globally so, really occurred in early 2006. The economic meltdowns of Fall, 2008, were just the solidifying of events already underway, and prudent "fore-runner people" were stating this as early as January, 2006. The slow climb out of inaction in real estate sales began first in the city/primary residence markets, in 2009, mainly in entry level priced residential options, and mainly fueled by first time buyers. This didn't appear in secondary home regions until late 2010/early 2011. Since early July, it appears that all residential opportunities, regardless of price point, are receiving strong inquiries, improving viewings, and slow but steady offers, and in all discretionary markets...real estate is both global and regional, now. Good news for all sellers in these secondary areas, though. Remember the seven year cycle theory? Well, this is year six...characterized by slow improvement, to begin with, and then escalating activity by year end. Hmmm.... Locally, it is busier in residential sales, in all price ranges. Undeveloped land and commercial options remain quiet, for the moment. When I say busier, it's in comparison with the non-action of the past three years...things have not returned to the heady days of 2002 to 2005! Is a fear of currency instability and the seeking of a safe haven the reason for this resurgence of interest in hard asset investment? Could be.... Let's hold the thought of year six in a seven year cycle...if that's the case, then the market is already on its way back up. Try not to be engulfed by the "shout news" empire. They want you to have tunnel vision, to remain focused on the channel prepared for you. Remember that periphery vision? Out there, on the edges, imperfectly seen, lives the next thing....so, year six, eh? And your thoughts are? Always welcome!