Yes, you heard me right. Optimistic. As in, maybe the worse is over optimistic.

A group of developers visited our editorial board today to discuss various issues and to provide an update in the housing market. Statewide, home sales are horrible and, as blogged earlier, the California Association of Home Builders says housing starts this year could be the worse in recorded history.

But the builders who visited us said they are seeing more people interested in buying a house. Jeff Harris, assistant vice president of Wilson Homes in Fresno, said his company has enjoyed "unexpectedly good sales" and decided against letting some land options lapse.

Meanwhile, owner Leo Wilson is in Orange County meeting with architects designing a new product line

set to release next year.

John Bonadelle, president of the Building Industry Association of the San Joaquin Valley in Fresno, noted that developers are eternal optimists, but did add, "I do think we've hit bottom." Then, there was this from Darius Assemi of Granville Homes: "There are a lot of encouraging numbers out there."

But nobody really knows for sure. Builders sure hope this is the beginning of a turnaround instead of a seasonal burst of activity or a dead cat bounce.

Stay tuned.