Housing May Be What Drives Economic Recovery | Realtor Magazine

Housing May Be What Drives Economic Recovery | Realtor Magazine

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2012


As the economy struggles to find footing, many analysts are calling housing a bright spot, particularly during the second quarter.

Home sales for existing-homes over $100,000 have increased compared to one year ago basically in every region of the country, according to National Association of REALTORS® data. Meanwhile, inventory levels have dropped nearly 26 percent over the past year. Also, reports show home prices are stabilizing and even increasing in some markets.

“The housing market is clearly superior this year compared with the past four years,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The latest increase in home contract signings marks 13 consecutive months of year-over-year gains.”

Columnist Kevin Mahn for Forbes writes that “an improving housing market is critical for consumer confidence, and the economic recovery overall, as home equity still accounts for over 16 percent of household net worth” (according to Federal Reserve data as of the end of the second quarter of 2010).

Source: “Will Housing Lead A U.S. Recovery?” Forbes (Aug. 27, 2012)