For many homeowners, the real estate market in the past year has been a nightmare. Foreclosures in the first quarter of 2009 jumped 23% from last year, and home values have plummeted nationwide.
But the battered housing market has been a blessing in disguise for home buyers, making eye-popping homes affordable to people who previously couldn’t afford them. Check out these eight homes marked down significantly from their previous sale prices.
By Louis Jones

HUNTINGTON, NEW YORK
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $289,900
- Last sold for: $346,914
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Square footage: 2,620

HALLANDALE, FLORIDA
- Type of home: condo
- Current price: $785,000
- Last sold for: $1,002,800
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 3
- Square footage: 2,078

LAKEMOOR, ILLINOIS
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $289,900
- Last sold for: $346,914
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Square footage: 2,620

LAKEVILLE, MINNESOTA
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $335,500
- Last sold for: $473,989
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 3.5
- Square footage: 3,311

SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI
- Type of home: condo
- Current price: $180,000
- Last sold for: $80,000
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 1
- Square footage: 719

CHANDLER, ARIZONA
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $699,900
- Last sold for: $1,900,000
- Bedrooms: 6
- Bathrooms: 5.5
- Square footage: 6,751

HENDERSON, NEVADA
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $209,000
- Last sold for: $439,655
- Bedrooms: 2
- Bathrooms: 2
- Square footage: 1,360
FAIRFIELD, CALIFORNIA
- Type of home: single-family
- Current price: $654,900
- Last sold for: $1,071,200
- Bedrooms: 3
- Bathrooms: 2.5
- Square footage: 3,499
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