The Record.net reports on the housing market in California. "Building permits for single-family homes in San Joaquin County were down even more sharply in January year-to-year than in December, a reflection of a slowdown that has some homebuilders cutting prices and offering incentives in the past couple of months. A total of 322 construction permits were issued last month countywide, down nearly 40 percent."

"Builders say that fast-escalating prices are over as prices rose to levels that began putting off many potential buyers. The San Ramone-based homebuilder, Pacific Mountain Partners, hasn't marked down sales prices at its 134 lot Mossdale Landing development, which features models running in the $582,000 to $687,000 range."

"Incentives have ranged between $10,000 and $40,000 per home in the past couple of months to prod sales, though, Heidi Mezenski said. 'We weren't doing incentives last summer,' she said. 'We were working off waiting lists.'"

"The changed sales market had Oakland residents Stoney and Toni McCree checking out model homes in Mossdale Landing on Friday. The McCrees, who don't own a home now, are aware of the slower market, and they not only think it's a good time to buy, but they also intend to take six months to do it."

"Stoney McCree said he's not surprised that new homes are better deals these days. 'I eventually thought the housing market would hit a ceiling and prices would come down,' he said. 'I like the prices for what they're offering.'"

"Toni McCree said they also liked the way homebuilder sales representatives seemed willing to deal, something they wouldn't have expected in the past."