5. Headlines were very varied in 2008 2008 proved tough for area home sales HOME SALES, PRICES DROP SHARPLY HERE Mortgage applications hit five-year high Houston housing gets a vote of confidence Existing home sales sink in South Recession carves away at real estate jobs Another non-traditional player jumps into the MLS game Housing Market Failures Not Preventing Property Investments Officials Say Virtual Home Tours Could Attract Robbers Ike takes wind out of area property sales