Case-Shiller Index — Chart of the Day
Kurt Brouwer July 29th, 2008
Sources: Calculated Risk & Standard & Poor’s
Home prices fell again in May as shown on this chart prepared from data released by Standard & Poor’s. Here is the full report.
Though I may be premature, the data, the chart and anecdotal information I’ve seen all suggest that the steep declines in home prices may be slowing a bit. Whether I’m right or not, this downward trend will continue. Though monthly price decreases may be tapering off, valuations are still ahead of the long-term price trend and the stock of unsold housing is high. Assuming both of these observations are correct, we may be entering the beginning of a long period in which home prices drift downward slowly or simply stagnate.
However, these price declines are good news for those who want to buy a home. Right now, credit conditions for home mortgages are tighter than they used to be, but financing is still available. And, the long-term demographics of population growth and household formation suggest that demand for housing is going to continue to grow once we get through this slump.
- Economy , Investing , Money , Personal Finance , inflation
- Comments(0)
Did you enjoy this article?
