10 Economic Indicators to Watch For Signs of Housing Bubble Collapse

For Immediate Release: June 27, 2006

Contact: Lynn Erskine 202-293-5380 x115

Washington, DC:  A new report by economist Dean Baker describes the key economic indicators that signal the state of the housing market. "Is the Housing Bubble Collapsing? 10 Economic Indicators to Watch" provides an up-to-date analysis of the available data sources and their uses and limitations.

"The housing bubble appears to have passed its peak. These economic indicators will provide signals as to the speed and size of the collapse of the housing bubble," said Baker.

The report provides information about the following data sources:  

• New Home Sales
• Existing Homes Sales
• Mortgage Applications
• House Price Index  
  
• Vacancy Rates
• Consumer Price Index: Rental Components  
  
• Housing Starts  
  
• Residential Construction  
  
• Residential Investment  
  
• Industry Employment

To read the report, click here. 

Dean Baker is a macroeconomist and co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, D.C.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research is an independent, nonpartisan think tank that promotes democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues affecting people's lives. CEPR's Advisory Board of Economists includes Nobel Laureate economists Robert Solow and Joseph Stiglitz; Richard Freeman, Professor of Economics at Harvard University; and Eileen Appelbaum, Professor and Director of the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University.