Some reports on high end housing markets stalling out. "The million-dollar home used to be a rarity in Maine. Now you can find hundreds of them on the market. There are now 416 houses for sale in the state with an asking price of $1 million or more. In the past year, 196 houses have sold for more than $1 million."

"Part of push comes from the baby-boom generation that is looking for investment opportunities and for second homes that have the potential to become year-round homes. 'Certainly the limited discussions I've had suggest it's the out-of-staters pushing this market,' Valerie Lamont said."

"(Broker) Matt Hiebert has noticed an upswing in pricey listings in the last few years. 'It seemed three or four years ago, that a $300,000 house was a lot of money,' he said. The million-dollar homes take longer to sell, Hiebert said. After all, not that many can afford a monthly mortgage of $5,000 or more."

"The stratosphere of Greater Boston's housing market isn't immune to the realities of supply and demand. Wealthy buyers are driving harder bargains, thanks to a growing inventory of ultra-luxury condos, stately mansions and antique townhomes costing $4 million or more. The increased number of choices, combined with a certain lack of urgency to get a deal done, have led to steeper discounts than the rest of the market. Year over year, the area inventory for homes over $4 million is up by 70 percent."

"The signs of growing inventory are unmistakable: There were 124 listings above $4 million in Greater Boston on Wednesday, compared to 73 for the same date last year. Rising interest rates are also creating a drag on the luxury market, although many wealthy buyers pay cash, brokers say it's affecting perceptions of resale value."

"'What does affect the middle and lower ends eventually affects the upper range,' (agent) Charles Orr said. 'Sometimes there's a delay, but it does get there because it's all a part of the same food chain. So buyers are very cautious that way, and look ahead.'"

"'It's all about consumer confidence,' (broker) Terry Maitland said. 'And every person out there in a buyer's market is going to try to take advantage of the situation. They just won't overpay. They're bidding very cautiously, walking away over small increments, and drawing a line in the sand.'"

"That hard-nosed approach is borne out by the difference between asking price and sale price. In the $2 million-and-over range, properties are selling at 89 percent of the original list price, a steeper discount compared to all single-family homes (94 percent) and all condos (92 percent), Orr said."