Wasn't particularly benefited or hurt. I remember one conversation I had though that still haunts me. Sometime in 2006 I was in a taxi talking to the driver who was just the nicest guy and who was moonlighting to earn extra money for his young family. He was talking about how he was considering buying a house and was trying to save money. I said that was really smart and housing was always a smart investment. I believed it then, but I really hope that nice man didn't take my advice, or at least waited a couple of years.