The Wisconsin Realtors Association reported home sales drops in the state were lower than those in other states during the second quarter of the year. The National Realtors Association reported a nationwide decline in home sales of 10.8%, which is higher than the Wisconsin figure of 8.5% for the quarter. While other markets continue to experience home sale price drops, Wisconsin’s median sale price rose 1.2%. In Dane County home sale price medians rose 0.9% even though sales slumped 3.8%. Although Realtors are carefully watching the market and breathing a sigh of relief that the subprime fallout has not hit the region hard, bankers are concerned. A Wisconsin Bankers Association survey revealed higher instances of consumer and business bankrupties, more home foreclosures, and increases in the number of past-due mortgages. Bankers indicated they were concerned about the effects of a real estate slowdown in the region, which could spill over into the construction and durable goods markets. Paul Brown