Wyrrej -

Yeah, I've heard predictions like that for a while now. It seems to me that property values will inevitably stop rising so quickly. Will they begin to drop? I tend to think that they won't, but maybe that's just my optomistic side talking. Who knows, I'm no ecomistic. Did you mean other "counties"? If so, I'm curious what counties have falling prices?

Unfortunately I've never been very good at timing my investments, and I certainly don't want to commit myself to a high mortgage if prices are about to drop (but can anyone *really* predict that? Like I said, I've been hearing that about Southern California for years and prices have only continued to rise). But sometimes waiting isn't the best answer either... I've been dumping good money after bad into rent for way too long. As long as I get into something that doesn't fall in value, I'll be much better off than I am right now.

From the research I've been doing, I will most likely buy something in the suburbs. If I have to commute a little bit further to get a house at a reasonable price, so be it. And if there *is* a housing bubble burst, I think it's the greatly overpriced coastal properties close to the cities that will feel it the most. From what I'm seeing, there are some reasonable deals about 90 minutes out. If only I can find a job that telecommutes I'll be all set!!