And perhaps DV and SB can explain why so many houses listed for sale have photos from last summer AND the houses were empty rooms back then!    

Owners are so despparate to flee the city that they are moving out of their city homes and yet still listing them, and showing them empty.   The owners aren't even bothering to invest the money in staging their homes.   ANY real estate professional will advice a seller to have furniture and accessories in the home when it's for sale, and that's the purpose of the staging.  

Perhaps a thread called "Real Estate Watch" should be started, listing homes for sale, what the assessment is, what the asking price is, and track the status, updating when prices are reduced.   See how long it takes for houses to sell.    Maybe I'll try to work up something in the coming weeks.