Good news!  Salida home sales for the month of March are up 13% compared to March of 2008.  Year to date sales are down 34% from a year ago.  BUT...This is an historically great time to buy.  Refuse to participate in the recession!   Interest rates are at a 50-year low, down to 4.6% for a fixed 30 year conventional home loan.  Department of Agriculture and VA are offering 100% loans.  Buyers who haven't purchased within the past 3 years receive an $8000 tax credit for home purchases made by December 1, 2009.  There are 672 homes on the market in this area and the median home price is under $300,000.  Wish I had more money to invest!  Leslie Walker, CRS,GRI, Salida Realty.