The COVID-19 Housing Boom: Is a 2007–2009-Type Crisis on the Horizon?

Abstract

While the current housing market remains relatively strong, with housing prices setting records, concerns are growing of a potential housing bubble similar to that of 2007–2009; this paper compares the current housing market environment with that of 2007–2009 and concludes that the many of the factors that caused the 2007–2009 crisis do not exist today. Factors associated with subprime mortgages, poor and non-existent underwriting loan requirements, weak regulatory oversight, exaggerated credit ratings, under-capitalization in the banking sector and excessive speculative activity in the housing market have been addressed by regulation, which is aimed at preventing another financial crisis similar to 2007–2009. Equally important, major fundamental factors affecting real estate valuation are providing support for the housing market and housing prices; these factors are impacting both the demand and supply side of the housing market. The factors include the lack of inventories of homes available for sale, the underproduction of housing, decreased household mobility limiting supply and the increase in housing demand from millennials and institutional investors; these fundamental factors were not evident during the 2007–2009 period. Despite a number of indicators signaling a potential topping out and overvaluation of housing prices, the authors conclude that the fundamental factors will limit the extent that the housing market weakens over the next few years.