"The situation is still pretty intense," Kyser said. `'The market has definitely peaked. Homes are remaining on the market longer."

From California. It's one thing to see the stats. HP readers will likely agree the funniest thing is to see the expert quotes, which most times doesn't match the article content at all.

The percentage of California households that could afford to buy a median-priced home in the state remained at 14 percent in December 2005 compared with the previous month good news for a housing market that seemed to peak in 2005.

But that percentage of Inland Empire households able to afford a home slipped from November to December.

However, much of the housing boom that made affordability so tough for Californians may be ebbing, said Jack Kyser, chief economist for the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.

Most economists expect the housing market to level off this year, he said. "The frenzy has definitely gone out of the market."

By the end of the year, as housing prices flatten and workers earn more, that affordability percentage may start to rise, he said.

"The situation is still pretty intense," Kyser said. `'The market has definitely peaked. Homes are remaining on the market longer."

"We're hearing more new home buyers saying they're going to wait," Young said, adding that a market cool-down might be good for homebuyers to get more value for their home. "It's not as gratifying now when you sell someone a home you think isn't worth it," Young said.