Financial Planning says Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reports household growth should be in the 15 million range between 2010 and 2020.  But if history teaches us anything, the real key to housing market recovery is job growth.  Eric Belsky, Executive Director of the Center, says, “If employment growth surprises on the upside or downside, housing numbers could too.”  The study notes that even if the economy and home building rebound strongly, the one in seven homeowners who owe more than the value of their home will continue to tug at the coattails of the overall economy.  Loan modifications, falling rents and home prices did not change the fact that 18.6 million households pay half or more of their income for housing.  The Center provides periodic assessments of the housing market.

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