Unemployment figures are out... we are at 10.2% Unemployment, which is the highest since April 1983 and are continuing to increase.

Watching CNBC this morning, an analyst was suggesting that within the next few months we should see the unemployment reaching its peak.

The housing market is directly related to the unemployment numbers.  Less jobs, less income, less qualified buyers, less home activity and vise versa.  I am keeping my eyes on the unemployment figure.  In my opinion, 2010 will show signs of recovery, however, with unemployment still extremely high through 2010, it will a slow transition back to a normal real estate market.  It will take a years to get the unemployment levels back to somewhat normalcy (4-6%), plus the foreclosure defaults are continuing to increase and it will take years to get the record foreclosure inventory to level off. 

Derek Gutting, The Gutting Group, Keller Williams Realty, www.GuttingGroup.com