Few, if any, people at that time were thinking that the party would soon come to an end. In December 2006, I wrote a column in which I said that the booming housing market had finally slowed down as I had previously predicted, and I said that there would probably be little, if any, home price appreciation in 2007 because the number of homes on the market would increase and turn a seller’s market into a buyer’s market.

* Full story: Available on HeraldNet

How many times have you heard that buying a home is the best investment you can make?

Now listen to this: “Pop”!

That’s financial author and radio host Dave Ramsey popping the bubble of millions of Americans, on The Early Show Tuesday.

It turns out home ownership isn’t always a good financial move. Homes are staying on the market longer and selling for less. Homes, says Ramsey, clearly are no longer the money-machines people believed them to be in recent years.

* Full story: Available on CBSNews.com

With the holiday housing slowdown hovering and homes snoozing on the market for an average of 95 days, it’s desperation time, indeed. The housing pot is growing larger, and picky buyers are discovering their inner divas. The free flat-screen TV is no longer impressing anyone; the wine-and-cheese open house is a bore. So, frenzied sellers are concocting wacky, wily stunts to show off their homes and eke out a little attention.

“It is ugly out there right now,” says Brad Sather, who is offering Cardinals season tickets with his 2,351-square-foot Goodyear luxury townhouse. “Any edge that we can have to sell the house is great.

“We’re not gonna be living in Phoenix anyway, so what do I need those tickets for?”

* Full story: Available on azcentral.com

Interview at least three local agents who sell homes in your community. Grill them about the following:

• The worth of your home. The agents should inspect the home and prepare a written comparative market analysis.

• Marketing plans. These are a must. Make sure they include regular newspaper ads, the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) - which gives your home maximum exposure to all local agents - and Internet marketing through the agent’s Web site.

• Length of the listing agreement. A 90-day listing is reasonable for marketing your home. Experts advise against signing a listing for more than 90 days unless it contains an unconditional cancellation clause. If you like, you can always extend the contract later.

• Number of listings. Find out how many listings the agent now has and how many she normally sells. Too many listings - more than a dozen - with a low sales rate, may not be a good sign.

• Get references. Ask for the names and phone numbers of recent home sellers. Call them and ask if they were satisfied with the level of service delivered by the agent.