My father built homes for a living. I lived through the 1970's, the gold and silver rush, the 21% interest rate on my first car, and the savings bonds that doubled in value every 7 years. I can tell you, growing up in a construction family taught me that it all starts there. Where construction goes, the economy follows. It is THE best indicator there is of good times or trouble. I can tell you, from my heart, that real estate will not return to normal until 2012. We are no where near the bottom. Commercial properties haven't started going belly up yet. That is always next on the agenda. We have far to go before we sleep.