Newspapers in Florida are asking realtors about the housing market. "Q: We've seen the real-estate market in Orlando and Florida cool from last year's record pace. Is it going to continue to slow?"

"A: Continue to slow? I think what may happen, I don't think you'll see a reduction in [intangible] value; let's put it that way. Value and price are different things. You probably won't see a reduction in value, but maybe in prices, meaning you can pay less but it's worth more. Value is how much that particular piece of property is worth to you."

"Q: We've gone from a low existing-home sales inventory last year to a record level right now. Will sellers be forced to slash prices? A: They are [slashing prices]. But let's look at the builders, and what is going on there. The builders are offering $5,000 to $50,000 in incentives, not off the price but in everything else. And when a buyer sees that, they go to the builder and they get X-amount for this and X-amount for that, the granite countertops and the other upgrades, and they take that in a heartbeat over an existing home."

"One significant change that could impact the market is the number of homes for sale on the MLS for the Pensacola Bay Area. In February 2005, six months after Hurricane Ivan, there were 1,355 homes for sale in the MLS two-county area. In February of this year, that number had soared to 5,155."

"Nan Harper, past president of the Association of Realtors, said the local slowdown in sales is more of a 'blip' in the market and not a 'bust,' she said. Moreover, the high number of homes on the MLS is due, in part, to overpriced waterfront homes not selling and the battles many homeowners are having with their insurance companies."

"One area of the local market that is experiencing a noticeable slowdown, said Smith, is the condominium market. 'The higher end condo market may be a little overbuilt,' he said."

And a letter to the editor blames the media. "When one wields great power, as you do, it is imperative that they do it responsibly. This is a great public trust that I think that you are not living up to."

"Reporting on the slump in the Florida home sales and prices and the damage caused by Hurricane Wilma can be informative or destructive. I believe that you are no longer reporting news but creating news by repeatedly hammering away at the negative aspects of living in South Florida. I think that what you are practicing now is irresponsible journalism and being part of the cause of the present real estate slump rather than part of the cure."

"I'm sure that I speak for many Florida homeowners when I say thank you for doing such a wonderful job in adding to the slump in our housing market."