In some areas of California, so many foreclosed homes are available to buy on the cheap that real estate agents are discouraging prospective sellers from even putting their houses on the market.

In some areas of California, so many foreclosed homes are available to buy on the cheap that real estate agents are discouraging prospective sellers from even putting their houses on the market.

Real estate agents throughout the country are pushing the silver lining in the nation's mortgage crisis: foreclosed homes selling cheap.

Although analysts maintain the Silicon Valley region's housing market is faring better than other parts of the state, real estate agents acknowledge it is a tough time.

With the passage of the economic stimulus package, real estate agents can now tell their clients there is a window of opportunity with Federal Home Administration loans, according to area loan specialists.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - While the data says "no end in sight" for the housing crisis, real estate agents are beginning to see signs of life among people looking for homes to buy around the United States.

It's the schools that attract home buyers to Saratoga, Mayor Ann Waltonsmith told real estate agents at a March Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Los Gatos/Saratoga District tour meeting.

Just as springtime stories start popping up about busy real estate agents and multiple offers on Sacramento-area homes, here's the Mortgage Bankers Association with a cold splash of water.

LOS ANGELES - A trade group for real estate agents says the percentage of Californians who can afford to buy their first home increased in the last three months of 2007 compared to the same time a year earlier.

WASHINGTON - Pending U.S. home sales dipped in November, a trade group for real estate agents said Tuesday, but it expects the sales pace to pick up significantly in the second half of 2008.