A prime time to buy a house?

- Jan Hatzius, economist at Goldman Sachs: Florida homes could depreciate 30 to 40 percent from their peak in 2005-2006. The slide could last two more years in Florida, Hatzius said, though he didn't rate the Tampa market.

- The S&P/Shiller-Case home price index: Last week's report ranked Tampa the worst nationally for home price declines at 10 percent. "The fall in home prices is showing no real signs of a slowdown or turnaround," study director Robert Shiller said.

- Lawrence Yun: As staff economist of the National Association of Realtors, he tends to cultivate rosier assessments. Yet even he predicted several poor months before home sales turn around. He cited banks clamping down on risky mortgage lending.

So is it time to start hunting for bargains? Now is a good time to shop for a house, if not to buy.

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