Over all housing in 2010 went up a bit and then came down in two different times. When FED provides 8K as first time buyer program till June 30th, the housing in SD is bit high and then very slowly came down around 2 to 10% depend on the area and also type of houses. I would guess still this phase continues or steady a while but not any increase in housing happens till 2012. If there is any unforseen and a hard hit on our economy then again housing will hit.
The final word is housing is a no more “phrase” for investment for quickreturns but a factor to live in a house rather than rent…… ( I thought this way)
I bought a house in this year when I realised I got to pay for rent around 2400.00 to 2600.00 for just 2000sft single family house. Now also I am paying the same amounts(2018.00 + hoa) as my mortgage but living in a 3400 sft house…. well I did put equity in this house and took 417K conventional loan.
No hurry/worry to buy as an investment but to live … it is your call.