While most housing markets throughout the country experienced a year of decline in 2006 following the boom levels of the previous two years, 2007 is expected to be a year of transition, with growth emerging in many areas, according the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Regional Housing Starts Forecast.

“Because the boom and correction cycle has largely been driven by national rather than local factors, most regions have experienced some degree of overheating and correction,” said NAHB Chief Economist David Seiders in a statement. “We expect 2007 to be a time of transition in most regions, with housing starts bottoming out in the early part of the year before transitioning to gradual recovery paths.”

Last year, mosquito abatement districts contended with floodwater in their ongoing battle against West Nile virus.This year, it’s foreclosures and the sluggish resale housing market.

For-sale signs, especially if standing for weeks or months in front of empty houses, are red flags for vector control personnel looking for pockets of mosquitoes in residential areas.

As the weather warms up, it heightens the risk that infected mosquitoes will spread the virus to people.

“We are calling a lot of Realtors to get access to these properties,” said Lloyd Douglass, general manager of East Side Mosquito Abatement District, which includes most of the northern half of Stanislaus County, including Modesto.