Answer Desk’s John Schoen fielded readers’ questions in a live chat on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Here are some of his answers about the housing crisis and the economic recovery.
Real estate – Housing – Business – Residential – Property
The latest evidence that manufacturers are helping lead the U.S. economic recovery emerged in a report that industrial production posted its seventh straight increase in January.
Industrial production – United States – Business – Construction and Maintenance – Business and Economy
One of every five U.S. homeowners owed more on their mortgage than their home was worth in the fourth quarter, real estate Web site Zillow.com said on Wednesday.
Real estate – Zillow.com – United States – Business – Business and Economy
New home sales unexpectedly fell 7.6 percent last month, capping the industry’s weakest year on record.
Business – Business and Economy – Construction and Maintenance – United States – Residential Housing
There are two reasons the home-sales report isn’t a big deal. First, housing is a highly seasonal business, so the most relevant statistic isn’t the month-to-month trend but the year-to-year trend, which saw improvement. Also, we’re going to have to have this recovery without housing. In fact, we already are.
Newsweek – Business – Real Estate – United States – Business and Economy
