Different economic indicators
When looking at house prices, we look at a variety of leading economic indicators with one of the most common and least questioned being the S&P Case-Shiller data which analyzes homes from an investment perspective taking resale values as their primary data point.
Another economic indicator is the U.S. Census’ look at homes which determines the median value, taking into account changes in income, population sizes, the cost of improvements and home size changes. Some consider this indicator as more of a current look at the cost of housing while others use Case-Shiller data as a look at the health of the real estate sector.
Visualizing Economics examines what the Case Shiller’s Housing Price Index would look charted if it accounted for size, quality and other factors.
Click to enlarge.
MH for Movoto
April 1, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Very cool. Thanks for this – I scour the Case Shiller every month and it’s SO nice to see a fresh take!
Lani Rosales
April 2, 2011 at 1:12 am
I TOTALLY agree, S&P is an awesome indicator but relying on that alone is like a doctor taking your pulse and not going any further with an exam, simply saying “yep, you’re live, you’ll be fine.”