House Prices Down in July

Just when the news seems like it can not get any worse it does. The bailout, the stock market and now the biggest house drop. This article from Bloomberg news explains that Home Prices in 20 U.S. Cities Declined 16.3% in July. Lets take a look-

House prices in 20 U.S. cities declined in July at the fastest pace on record, signaling the worst housing recession in a generation had yet to trough even before this month's credit crisis.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index dropped 16.3 percent from a year earlier, more than forecast, after a 15.9 percent decline in June. The gauge has fallen every month since January 2007, and year-over-year records began in 2001.

The housing slump is at the center of the meltdown in financial markets as declining demand pushes down property values and causes foreclosures to mount. Banks will probably stiffen lending rules even more in coming months to limit losses, indicating residential real estate will keep contracting and consumer spending will continue to falter.

``The fact that house prices quickened their slide before the worst point in credit markets hit this month does not bode well,'' said Derek Holt, an economist at Scotia Capital Inc. in Toronto.

That first paragraph says it all. Every month we are looking for a glimmer of hope. Every month there is none and things look more dismal than we expected. Everyone wants to have hit bottom and for the markets to turn. Does not look like we are even close. Whatever happens regarding the bailouts the affects will linger for months after. People are shaken and/or confused.

Is this what 1929 felt like?