Maybe you are in a real anomaly, but whenever we leave the city, once we get pass commuting distance the number of For Sale signs is astounding (sometimes like 10% of a town or hamlet) while in the city housing is booming.
I don't think I live in an anomaly.
Statewide statistics here: http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.wi.htm
I live in this met region: http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.wi_oshkosh_msa.htm
I will allow this is the case for some areas. It it not universally true.
It sure isn't where I live.