From the looks of things there is a glimmer of hope that the housing market is poised for a turnaround which suggests that jobs are looking up as well. Since you kinda sorta need a job to buy a house, the idea is that homebuyers must be gainfully employed if they're willing to sign on the dotted line for a 30 year mortgage. While that logic is sound, [at least somewhat] it doesn't, exactly, explain what's causing the increase in employed versus unemployed. Which industries are hiring? What's prompting hiring by such industries? Is the hiring seasonal, permanent or temporary?

In the absence of hard data, it's a little hard to get on the jobs jobs jobs bandwagon. At least one explanation for the what appears to be a housing market rebound is that some buyers aren't sitting on the sidelines waiting for a "green light." With the gross number of foreclosures, across the country, there are plenty of deals out there. In some cases, with a marginal downpayment one can literally walk into an equity situation. With a deal like that, it's a little hard for either a potential homebuyer or bank to walk away, waiting on a guarantee. If the economics of the past represent a guarantee, than that is a thing of the past. Nowadays, with two incomes even if part-time waiting on full-time and a solid downpayment [from savings over years], it's not hard to persuade a bank to go along with selling one of several hundred foreclosed homes within the bank's portfolio. So while a housing market rebound could likely point to jobs and a stabilizing economy, it could also point to emotional buying decisions. The jury is still out.

The votes are in and the talley suggests that the housing market is a bust, again. So maybe it's time to go back to school and start a new career track. This is especially true for all the fly by night real estate agents that entered the field with the expectation of flipping houses fast and for big paydays. So, sorry it looks like those days are behind us...at least for now. For the rest of those whose job is tied directly to the housing market, the writing is on the wall. Get out while you still have a chance. The current double dip in the housing market, is a sign that the ten year accelerated growth of the housing industry, and underlined jobs created, is way over inflated and simply can not be sustained. Of course, you can wait it out and play Russian Roulette is you like but the fact of the matter is that it's going to take a while.

How many billions of dollars has Congress spent since 2008 to hold up the economy? Over $700 billion and closer to a trillion big ones and still the markets are struggling. The markets are struggling and consumers simply don't have the income levels or faith in the economy to make big ticket purchases, especially homes, when so many people are under water on their homes. After all, you buy a home for it to appreciate not depreciate. When home values and sales depreciate, it's time to rent or find a new job if your income is tied to selling homes for a profit. Maybe this double dip situation with the housing market is proof of the adage, "haste makes waste." Maybe, maybe not. What is certain is the housing market is a bust, again, which makes going back to school a big attraction. So maybe the next market bubble will be the back to school bubble? We'll see.