Offers accepted, or initiated sales (for single-family homes) were way down also, at only 811 (for January 2006). Only January 2001 had fewer, at 761. So 811 is significant and it means February closings will be way down.

Basically, the buyers have gone away, causing the number of transactions to be at or near record low levels. This is across all four counties that I track. This indicates that it is a fairly broad change and not localized.

It's an absolute fact that people want to live here. That keeps housing prices high. If it wasn't for the demand, prices would drop.

Buyers should have no pressure whatsoever from fear of increasing prices.