It doesn’t matter what city you’re in. If you live in America, you’ve felt the crunch of a busted housing market. Undervalued homes and a market filled with foreclosures or short sales is something we’ve all had to deal with. The question that everyone seems to be asking is, “When will it end?”

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is still unclear. The tide of foreclosures must pass before stock can be taken to really get an idea of what shape we are in. What isn’t helping the recovery is the deluge of information that consumers can find confusing. Understanding some common misconceptions may help you decide when to make your next move:

1. The Home Buyer Tax Credit Ended the Housing Recession: While it is true that the ending of the credit boosted sales earlier this year, the drop in home sales after its expiration is a clear sign that the home buyer tax credit did not end the recession.
2. Once Home Prices Hit Bottom They Will Rebound Fast: Markets like housing are usually cyclical. Though this is generally true, how long the cycle takes to occur is a matter of economics. With unemployment rates still high and many foreclosed homes still on the market, don’t expect dramatic change even after a bottom is felt.
3. Foreclosures are Slowing: Unfortunately, many lenders have been holding onto defaulted properties and are only now going through the rest of the foreclosure process. It is expected that we will not see a slowing of new foreclosures on the market until the fall.

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