There's no denying that the real estate market in the Northern San Joaquin Valley and much of the country is in a major downturn. Home sales have slowed to a trickle. Median home prices are in a free fall. Foreclosures are soaring. And those easy credit terms that let almost anyone qualify for almost any size loan -- whether they could afford it or not -- are gone.

No one seems to know just when it will turn around. Some say in a year or two; others say much longer. But one thing is clear, the ripple effect from this financial punch in the gut is being felt by many people in every community.

As residents try to negotiate the difficult times ahead, The Bee plans to take an in-depth look at the regional real estate market. But to tell these stories effectively, we need your help.

We want to talk to you about the situation you are facing, from a horror story about a zero-down loan to being forced from a real estate or financial services career because of the slowdown. We want to hear from business owners who have weathered previous downturns as well as those who aren't sure how they can make it through this one.

We want to hear from people who have lost their dream home as well as those who sold at the top of the market and are doing just fine. And we want to hear from lifelong residents as well as newcomers throughout Stanislaus, Merced, Tuolumne and southern San Joaquin counties.

If you would like to be interviewed for this project, contact Bee Business Editor David W. Hill at 578-2336 or dhill@modbee.com.

On the calendar

MONDAY
U.S. financial markets closed in observance of Labor Day.

TUESDAY
WASHINGTON -- Commerce Department reports on construction spending for July.

NEW YORK -- The Institute for Supply Management issues report on activity in the manufacturing economy for August.

DETROIT -- Automakers release August sales figures.

WEDNESDAY
WASHINGTON -- Federal Reserve releases beige book, its survey of regional economic conditions.

THURSDAY
WASHINGTON -- Labor Department reports on productivity and costs; Labor Department reports on weekly jobless claims; Freddie Mac reports on mortgage rates.

NEW YORK -- The nation's largest retailers announce sales figures for August.

FRIDAY
WASHINGTON -- Labor Department reports on employment for August.