"Global real estate markets continued their gradual convalescence in the early months of 2010. Improved affordability, low interest rates and government purchase incentives have supported a pickup in sales, which is helping to stabilize prices after the broadly based declines of 2008-2009. A general sentiment appears to be emerging that residential prices in many of the hardest hit nations are finally bottoming, even if the recovery is likely to be gradual and protracted." (Quoted from paper)