You may be scratching your head -- national market is down, mortgages are hard to get, recession fears loom, the big NY banks are hurting and trimming jobs...though on the other hand, the development pace and quality in LIC is unprecedented, the bargains vs. Manhattan are huge, the NY market overall looks very stable, the job market and economy in NY seems OK, and that crazy Euro and crazier barrel of Saudi crude has kept money flowing into the NY economy.

Which way? Up or down?

Thanksfully, the folks marketing the Hunters Point Condos are offering some help: "We are holding an event for first time home buyers called INFO FEST 2008 on March 29, 2008 at LUCKY MOJO from 1pm to 4pm. Lunch, Drinks, Music and Guest Speakers will be served. Speakers will include architecture critic Carter B. Horsley, Professor Ciro Trotta of NYU and a guest speaker from the Long Island City Cultural Alliance. INFO FEST 2008 is a response to 1000s' of inquiries for Hunters Point Condos from purchasers who requested us to separate fact from fiction in the financial markets and to learn about LIC. " Email Patrick from their firm for details -- PSmith at bhsusa dot com. We're guessing he'll have 1,000 reasons per square foot to attend.