There are actually five sectors that dive the local real estate markets. They include the retail sector, industrial sector, commercial sector, investment sector and residential sector which is what we are going to have a look at. What we've seen in the housing market in the past year has been somewhat of a phenomenon with people actually paying more than the ask price. It's rather an interesting time in the market both for buyer and seller.

All of the sectors really do overlap each other but due to the space restraint in this article we are going to focus on what's been happening in the retail sector and I have to tell you it's been an interesting year with the trends expected to last through 2007.

The market has been enjoying a healthy period during 2006 and there's every indication that it will remain just as healthy through 2007. You may have heard some rumblings that the markets slumping or correcting itself but really nothing could be further from the truth.

There are seasonal lulls that tend to take place and they are simply little blurbs that affect nothing but just make good copy. We may have passed the period where prices were climbing at a ridiculously high rate in a short period of time instead entering a period were prices still continue to climb but at a more paced range. The feeding frenzy has died away.

There certainly has been no down slide and there are none anticipated during this new year there is little doubt that things will remain on their steady as she goes course. The bubble isn't ready to burst yet.

All of the market sectors play an important role in the market but the residential housing market has the most influence. And the residential influence begins with the bank rates and the consumer interest rates. When interest rates are low housing demands are high and as the rates climb demand begins to slide.

The past year has seen interest rates remain low and thus housing starts remain high. This year is expected to continue to run the same path.

The real estate market also depends on what the unemployment rates are doing. The lower unemployment is the great the demand for houses, the higher the house sales, and the higher the selling price.

As interest rates go up and unemployment rises changes in the market occur. It can be a result of one or the other but housing starts will decrease and the prices will begin to drop too. Don't expect to see that in the near future.

With unemployment and interest rates at an all time low the housing boom is going to continue through this year and likely the following year so if you are in the market for a house don't be waiting for lower prices. If you don't get into the house market now you may not be able to afford to shortly.