The Charlotte Observer from North Carolina. "Following slowing sales and falling prices in cities across the country, monthly home sales in the Charlotte area were down in September, the first drop in more than three years."

"Veteran real estate agents say they'll wait to see whether the September drop is a monthly blip or signals a deeper decline. Either way, they agree that buyers and sellers must adapt to new market demands. Sales of the most expensive homes have been especially hard hit."

"Agents say slower sales in other cities have stalled business in Charlotte. Their clients can't buy here, they say, until they sell homes in the cities they're relocating from. Dot Munson said she had a stack of files on her desk representing families that can't sell homes in Florida, California or the Northeast."

"'That's the biggest downturn in our business right now,' she said."

"Slowdowns elsewhere affect sales here in other ways. Some buyers want to offer dramatically less than the asking price in Charlotte, Munson said, because they've seen prices fall where they're moving from. A buyer who sold for 20 percent less than he thought his house was worth might offer 20 percent less than the asking price for a house in Charlotte."

"Sellers also have to be realistic, say Munson and other experienced agents. They have to price homes fairly, and offer incentives such as decorating allowances and help with closing costs."

"(Broker) Dan Cottingham of Cottingham-Chalk said business has been slowing gradually for a year or more in some segments of the market, especially the upper end. He said most sellers have adjusted to the slowdown by negotiating more willingly. 'Price is king ...,' he said, 'but we're seeing sellers offering decorating allowances that they wouldn't have a year ago.'"

"'This (slowdown) doesn't mean that sellers are going to give their homes away, but there are more for buyers to choose from,' said (realtor) Donna Anderson."

"As the market slows, more sellers entice buyers by offering to help with closing costs. Agents say the tactic is used at all price ranges, but especially below about $300,000. Offering help with closing costs helps sellers of existing homes compete with new-home builders, who often offer such incentives as upgraded appliances."

"Agent Bill Balatow said his business has 'flattened' a bit, especially for homes costing $1 million-plus. Four of 11 pending sales he's working on include seller assistance with closing costs. Also pending: Three sales that have to wait until clients sell homes back in Florida."

The Daily Record from Florida. "Randy Shelton says there is one major misconception about the first condo tower built on the Southbank — The Strand is not, and was never sold as, an apartment building. In fact, there hasn’t been a sale yet."

"Buyers will also benefit from the decision to go with condos. Because the project started more than 18 months ago, construction prices for the Strand were locked in at a time when construction costs were lower. 'Our prices reflect two year old construction prices,' said Shelton."

"Shelton said the Jacksonville market has been wonderful, relatively speaking. 'The rest of Florida is just paying for its sins.' 'The rest of Florida is like a dead zone and Jacksonville stayed insulated because it never got out of hand building,' said Shelton."