The slowdown in sales does not portend major trouble, as 2017 will still end with historically high deal volume. : Investment sales got off to a slow start in 2017, setting the tone for what will likely be a slump in overall transaction volume by year-end, according to industry experts. However, the slowdown in sales does not portend major trouble, as 2017 will still end with historically high deal volume. Rather, this year’s figures seem low compared to the banner years of 2015 and 2016, says Jim Costello, senior vice president at real estate research firm Real Capital Analytics (RCA).