Over the 4th of July weekend, I happily spent my vacation working everyday on appraisals.  What a relief to have full time work again!  I don't know what exactly happened but there appeared to be a perfect storm that stopped real estate transactions dead since almost the beginning of the New Year.  Refinancing stopped I suppose because those who wanted to or could refinance already did and because interest rates rose slightly.  And sales appeared to stop dead too.  I spoke to many in the field, brokers, agents and fellow appraisers and all testified to this suddenly moribund market.  And then, about six weeks ago the market suddenly came back to life--not just in bits, but like a wave.  I went from very little work to working full time again, almost overnight.  I keeping my fingers crossed it's not a fluke and the work continues for all of us.  On this round I'm seeing far more sales than refinances, which is a good thing.  It's just odd that all of the old real estate sayings, like "It's always dead in the summer" are turned upside down.  In any event, I'll take it!  I'm always happy and grateful to be working.