Existing home sales were stronger than expected and that is providing an offset.

Don't sign the contract when standing there and the sales person is rushing you. Take the contract home, read it and think about it before you sign.

Despite the slippage in home sales there is no evidence of any nationwide softening of home prices, though it may be difficult to avoid some slippage in the price of residential real estate if only because a slower pace of home sales is likely for 2006,

But that didn't benefit the motor home sales. Higher fuel prices have been a negative for them.

Mortgage rates have been so low and accommodating that total home sales surged in October as families took advantage of the affordable atmosphere.

It definitely shows what the figures have shown all year. Home sales continue to be strong.