Reply #35: I kept it civil and backed up my thoughts with data and explanations

[Godhumor]

But if you're done, you're done.

Very curious, though, how you would expect to get data from outside the industry or government reporting. Existing sales, pending sales, and new home starts have been in universal use since 2000, and every single piece of news you see that talks about sales slowdown or sales increases that comes attached to statistics either comes from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac (or the other Maes) or the MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association), Realtor.org (Handles pretty much all existing sales) or the NAHB (New housing).

The fact is, we have a very real trend--pending sales cratered after the tax credit let up. In the past 6 months it has been rising steadily as homes have become more affordable. Too many of those being sold are still distressed properties, which will, unfortunately, continue until people stop losing their homes. Investors have taken advantage of this, but still account for less than 1/5 of pending sales. I really don't know what you find to argue in there considering you started the conversation with you were looking as well--people who can are taking advantage of the market.

And if the market pops over the next 3 months or so, I'll be right back on talking about why it is screwed up. I'm not cheerleading, but I am trying to explain why the data shows what it shows.