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We’re squinting and using binoculars, but still not seeing a bright light at the end of the housing slump tunnel. Once in a while, however, we pick up a glimmer or two.

In Minnesota’s Twin Cities, the 13-county metro area had 4,462 pending sales in single-family houses this past July compared with 4,202 in July 2007. It’s a small uptick after months of sales numbers below last year’s.

In Arizona, the Tucson Association of Realtors reported that the area’s home listings fell below 8,000 in July for the first time since March 2006. The number had peaked at 10,387.

The tunnel is still dark, but at least these are points of light. More good news would be welcome, because the economic damage continues.

The Triangle Business Journal in North Carolina reported that Pierce Homes of Carolina Inc. went out of business after 26 years.

The Spokesman Review in Spokane, Wash., reported that Sullivan Homes Inc. sought court protection from creditors; the company owed banks more than $16 million. And the list goes on.

Central Iowa is still learning about the spreading effects of such business failures. The crash of Regency Homes left a lot of pieces to pick up, and subcontractors will continue to suffer. People who bought the first few homes at Michael’s Landing will continue to worry about the future of the neighborhood and their investment.

Like them, we all want to know what comes next. Development of the Michael’s Landing area is sure to resume, for example, but we don’t know how soon.

When Toll Bros. Inc. recently reported discouraging results – the luxury home builder’s latest quarterly revenues were down 34 percent – CEO Robert Toll said, “we believe there is growing pent-up demand from those who have postponed buying during the past three years.”

Sounds reasonable. Combine that with the continuing growth of Central Iowa, and we’re tempted to think that we’ll be back to normal here before too long.