It can seem like eternity, especially when you are making life changing decisions. I sold in LA right at the beginning of the process. I advertised in September, accepted an offer after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, IIRCC, we moved over the New Year and closed in mid January. All the while the market drifted higher on declining volume. The average price peaked and plateaued in July and had shown some decline by January, 2006, but most sellers and almost all the press were still in denial. The big declines did not come until 2008.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."