Some point out that, although house prices are historically high, average monthly mortgage payments are not.

ECONOMIST: Concrete is coming to a building site near you

Although the reasons behind that--high gas prices and a bad economy--are negative, it's good news for the hapless drivers who have to fight their way through the Cross Bronx Expressway.

FORBES: Traffic

Yet, although domestic demand is weak, real interest rates remain high because prices are falling.

ECONOMIST: The dollar��s looking peaky

Although some buyers have been forced out of the market by high prices, there have been enough buyers to keep the market buoyant.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Q&A: Have house prices peaked?

High demand equates to better profits, although cheap natural gas prices dent their bottom lines.

FORBES: Utility Mergers Rising but Picking Partners is Tricky

Meanwhile, there are signs that demand, although not falling, is growing more slowly in the face of high prices.

ECONOMIST: Commodities

Although increaing power production from coal plants could alleviate the shortages, high coal prices have made generators reluctant to do so.

FORBES: China Braces for Blackouts

Although unemployment is low (the rate is 4.8%) and oil prices are high, inflationary pressures are modest.

ECONOMIST: What will guide the new boss of America's Federal Reserve?

The cost of that acreage has been high relative to the present low price of natural gas, although such lease prices are falling as some drillers pause.

FORBES: Oil and Gas Feeding Off Each Other While They are Fueling Economic Recovery

Although airfares are still expensive (due largely to high fuel costs), once you reach your destination, local prices will be lower across the board than they have been in the past.

BBC: Travelling in recession-strapped Europe