The August market was basically in a holding pattern, following typical seasonal trends, as the summer holidays drew to a close amid declining interest rates, indications of impending cuts in the Fed’s benchmark rate, improving housing affordability, substantial financial market volatility, and a huge helping of presidential election news. The autumn selling season, just begun, typically sees significant market activity before the big mid-winter slowdown begins in late November, and some expect a very substantial rebound in demand due to interest rate declines.