It's the million dollar question, and it's a heated topic of conversation after years of turmoil in the nation's housing markets -- Will housing markets ever recover?

The question is talked about and debated around water coolers, business offices and even corporate board rooms and seems to have a constant flow of interest in forums on the Internet. The short answer is "Yes in some places, and not so much in others."

According to a recent article in NuWire, more homebuyers are buying REOs (foreclosed homes.)

The article cites low prices and foreclosure bargains as the main reason buyers purchase foreclosures.

The article says a bit more than half (57.6%) of those polled plan to live in the property they’re buying, while slightly less than half (42%) are looking at the home as an investment.

Santa Barbara, CA Sept 29, 2009 - RealtyStore (www.realtystore.com), the nation's leading provider of foreclosure listings, released its August 2009 Foreclosure Report for the State of Washington.

Santa Barbara, CA August 30, 2009 -- RealtyStore (www.realtystore.com), the nation's leading provider of foreclosure listings, released its year-to-date California Foreclosure Report for 2009.

First-time home-buyers across America have until November 30 to benefit from the Federal Government's tax credit that can add up to as much as $8,000 and, in some cases, can be used for the down payment on a home.

But for New Yorkers the news are even better, thanks to Mayor Bloomberg's "New Housing Marketplace Plan". As part of this plan the New York City HPD (Housing Preservation and Development agency) has created a special program that provides qualified home-buyers with up to 6% of a home's price toward the down payment or closing costs.