I don't disagree, but will point out that if demand isn't being met in an area, pricing changes won't happen until it is. So there is a LOT of demand for houses in the bay area (for example) that is unmet and people with salaries to pay the really high prices. As people move out it frees up real estate which should, as a trailing indicator, lead to lower prices. It certainly was true during the dot com bust when people moved out in droves.