When you read a nationally focused article on housing sales and one of the “fasting-falling” markets is your own hometown, you might start wondering if the boom has finally bust. There are lots o’ theories out there but a drive through of my ‘hood (Pocket/Greenhaven) on a Sunday will tell you that the homes aren’t moving all that fast. There are multitudes of homes sitting out there, all waiting at over-ripe prices. Every corner seemed to have a sign proclaiming “Open House” or “$500 down moves you in, 100% financing O.A.C.”

We’re not in the market to buy a house right now–rather, we’re looking for a larger rental. One of the homes we looked at is being offered for rent at a modest $1250. It’s in a good neighborhood, on a nice quiet street. The gargantuan home across the way is for sale, however…and for kicks we grabbed the flyer. It’s a 4 bedroom place and the asking price is over half a million. Well. Ain’t that a price? Sacramento Land(ing), a local Real Estate focused blog has an article about price peaks in the area. I suspect that house will be on the market for some time–unless perhaps the toilet and bathroom fixtures are lined with gold. Or maybe they’ve simply “upgraded” their kitchen to Corian countertops. That should be worth, oh, an extra 50 grand on the purchase price. Or maybe I’m just out of touch.