Buyers
For you buyers. What's most important to you when you are considering making an offer on a home? Is price the most important facet? That you're buying at a time when the market conditions are most favorable for a purchase? A house that your family can call home? Of course many will have different reasons and views on what is the most important.
I would suggest to you that one of the most important aspects is purchasing a house for your family to call home. When the market slows or dips where prices are concerned you can look at this in a couple of positive ways. #1, you've purchased a home for your family for the long term so not only do you have a place your family can grow and enjoy for years to come, you're building up equity in your home over a long period of time as well as appreciation continuing in an upward, albeit slower than previous years, climb. Purchasing a home is still a great "investment". #2, if you've ever considered real estate investment in income producing property put that build up of equity in your home to work for you and invest in a small apartment building, or rental house.
When purchasing, always, always hire a home inspector to accompany you and perform an in depth inspection of the home. You'll come away with the info for you to make an informed decision that you can feel great about.