A pair of housing bubble reports from the Carolinas. "Pitt Center was overcrowded when many realtors appeared to tell Southern Shores Town Council that something needS to be done concerning the current regulations regarding temporary 'Open House' real estate signs. David Hoare, along with fellow realtors, told council that times have changed drastically in the real estate market in Dare County."

"According to these realtors, recent figures suggest a slowing of real estate activity, evidenced by the fact that real estate closings were down approximately 50 percent during the first three months of 2006. The realtors also told council that real estate has become a 'buyers market' in Dare County and prices are falling as to amounts potential sellers can ask for their properties."

From the Myrtle Beach Sun Times. "The number of condos for sale on the Grand Strand market has more than tripled since the first quarter last year, causing a shift toward a buyer's market. That makes this a good time for those wanting to buy more affordable condos because they'll have more options and some condos have seen price decreases, said (realtor) Rachel Broadhurst. 'We've been calling them all and telling them to come on back,' Broadhurst said."

"First-quarter statistics from the MLS show 9,012 condos on the market, compared to 2,712 during the same period last year. Condo sales also have dropped 4 percent from the same period last year. A large number of hotel conversions and apartment conversions have been added to the market. The increase in listings and less demand have caused some condo prices to decrease in the past three months."

"'Certainly we think we'll see good condo sales. But we're not going to sap up this 250 percent increase [in condo listings],' Broadhurst said. 'Sometimes the market has to stop and take a breath because it needs to re-evaluate.'"

"Single-family home listings increased 40 percent. 'It's nothing to be concerned about. Last year was just a crazy, crazy year, and people have to understand that. We can't base everything on what happened last year. It was an enigma,' said (realtor) Tom Maeser."

"Mark Vitner, senior economist for Wachovia in Charlotte, N.C., said many areas are seeing an increase in listings because people think the market is softening and they want to sell now. 'Folks are realizing that the housing boom is drawing to an end,' he said."

"Developer Mike Kelly in Atlantic Beach said he's concerned about a saturated condo market. He said he isn't worried about selling out his planned 141-unit complex, but he is concerned about other developers who must sell out 400 to 500-unit towers. He said he doesn't want speculators buying in his development. 'That contributed to the problem, speculators running the prices up,' he said."