A lot of people lost their jobs and lost their houses as a result so they have crappy credit score and can't get good interest rate for the mortgage loans for a while even if they found a job later on so they have to rent apt or house...

I don't know about economy improving. It would depends on where you live. It may change a lot in 2013 or 2014 when ObamaCare fully kicks in plus possible higher income taxes and less deductions...