We can't find a period when the investor share of home sales has been higher than in the last year. In the fourth quarter, it looked like investors were starting to step back.

After several record-breaking years for home sales, builders are anticipating a return of the market to a healthy and steady pace.

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,

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

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.