Lawrence Yun, Ph.D., presented an economic and real estate outlook, highlighting a tough four-year period for existing home sales, with signs of recovery starting in 2012. The Charleston region experienced a 19% increase in closing sales year-over-year and a significant drop in inventory, indicating a tightening market. Factors contributing to the expected higher sales in 2012 include improved affordability, job creation, and rising demand for ownership and rentals among young adults.