From the RealEstateJournal Archives
Rent Now, Buy Later,
Economists Say
From The Wall Street Journal Online
With which statement do you agree most?
| • This is a good time to rent rather than buy a home. | 59 % ![[Blueprint]](/images/bluebox.gif){kind=small} |
| • This is a good time to buy rather than rent a home. | 41 ![[Blueprint]](/images/greenbox.gif){kind=small} |
![[Blueprint]](/images/20070103-wsj1.gif)
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![[briefcase]](/images/wsj_icons/it_cash.gif){kind=icon}
• Low financing costs, buyer incentive make now an attractive time to buy
• House prices are likely to see more weakness
• Building equity and enjoying tax preferences is always a good idea
• Getting close to time to buy but not yet
• Depends on the local market
With which statement do you agree most?
| • The worst of the housing downturn's impact on the broader economy has passed. | 57 % |
| • The worst of the housing downturn's impact on the broader economy has yet to come. | 43 |
![[Blueprint]](/images/20070103-wsj2.gif)
Selection of comments:
• If by worst you mean most intense
• This winter is the period of maximum impact
• The decline will continue through mid 2007 but less pronounced
• Low point in housing starts still ahead but not much lower than now
• On a year-to-year basis, housing leads rest of economy by two quarters
Email your comments to rjeditor@dowjones.com.
