It seems that being surprised by the economy is a requirement for an economist to be a source for the Washington Post. The first sentence of a Post article on January existing home sales and GDP revisions told readers that: "Sales of previously owned houses unexpectedly slumped in January." The main surprised economist featured in the article was Lawrence Yun, the chief economist of the National Association of Realtors.
Of course economists who follow the housing market more closely were not surprised. The plunge in mortgage applications following the initial expiration of the first time homebuyers tax credit in November indicated that sales of new and existing homes was likely to fall.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. For over 30 years, The American Prospect has delivered independent reporting that exposes corporate power, investigates political corruption, and analyzes threats to our democracy. Unlike many media outlets, we’re not owned by billionaires or corporations—we’re powered by readers like you.
Today’s independent journalism faces unprecedented challenges. Your support makes our reporting possible and keeps our work free and accessible to all. Whether it’s $5 or $50, every contribution helps sustain our nonprofit newsroom.
Join our community of supporters and make a donation today to help keep independent journalism thriving.
Copyright 2025 | The American Prospect, Inc. | All Rights Reserved