This is definitely a buyer's market; so many houses/townhouses for sale in your area. I don't know how your co-worker was able to sell hers so quickly. Which location? Buying a place is not too difficult; to buy a decent place at the discounted price is no easy job. Besides, I need to consider the annual carrying cost even I will not live there for more than one month each year for the next several years. To rent it out is not an option for me.