About 30% of home sales are distressed properties. Closings and future purchase contracts on distressed properties may not take place while a foreclosure moratorium is in effect to sort out title and foreclosure issues with recent vintage mortgages. And a moratorium for sure would mean foreclosures in the pipeline would be held up. This could greatly delay finding the bottom for the residential real estate decline.
http://seekingalpha.com/author/john-lounsbury