I'm located in the South (New Orleans), and from a hiring perspective it seems like a bit of a buyer's market down here. When I've posted ads for developers, I'

I'm located in the South (New Orleans), and from a hiring perspective it seems like a bit of a buyer's market down here. When I've posted ads for developers, I've gotten a lot of replies, and I've been able to dictate contract terms pretty easily thus far. From what I've seen, there's really a firm/freelancer divide; firms are charging incredible fees and don't really move off them, but freelancers have been easier to negotiate with and get at market (or slightly below market) rates. Frankly, I don't even talk to firms anymore. From what I've seen, their quality isn't any better, and their fees are so much higher it isn't even worth talking to them.