choad, "If there is anyone left out there that can qualify to buy a house".
In my area new homes are being built like crazy. Most have a sign that says zero % financing by Countrywide credit. As soon as they are finished people move in. Qualification seems to be little more than showing up and signing the paper work.
As an aside, a number of double wide house trailers (execuse me, prefab homes) are disappearing. Hauled off the property.
Could it be that people are signing for a new house and just walking away from polyester curtain environment?. On second thought, will research a few of them next week and see what's going on.