Having worked in manufacturing for no less than 4 major companies the past 35 years, I have to believe that the housing market is suffering another problem, good paying, secure jobs. Today, everyone must compete for a job which can change in a flash. It's not like it used to be and the lack of job security is in my opinion the biggest problem in not only the housing industry, but in every other aspect of our current economy. Medical and energy issues are big issues as well, but without job security, we may continue to see slow home sales. Many that I used to work with call it, "the trickle down effect" from the lose of industry and the so called middle class. Maybe there is a new middle class today? Maybe we can do without manufacturing? The wealth in America came from industry. That wealth was spent and shared in several aspects of our lives. We are seeing big changes in spending habits because people just don't have the "extra" money to spend. We are in the midst of big changes in our economy. I'm not convinced that what is happening is good, but time will tell.
