The market is getting tough. But buying is still better than renting! Rents will not stabilize! You would still be better off with a fixed mortgage payment and the way the dollar is going you would be better off to hold real-estate than dollars in my opinion. If we do have a down turn the credit market will seize up and it will be even harder to get a mortgage . So many people are saying let me rent for now and I will buy when the housing market goes down. I think they are leave one issue out of the equation and that is you need for a roof over your head. If things really go south banks will probably be more willing to work things out with you. However if you don't pay the rent I guarantee you will be evicted. Eviction's will move faster than foreclosures in a seriously down market. For too long we have considered our homes as an extension of the ATM machine. I think it's much wiser to consider things like quality-of-life, stability for your family even if it takes two generations to pay for it. We have become a society in which we don't consider the long-term benefits of our homes rather just the short-term gains. If you need a home in this tough market let me help you find it! It is out there. Take action before it really is too late!