Measuring House Price Bubbles

Using data for six metropolitan housing markets in three countries, this article provides a comparison of methods used to measure house price bubbles. We use an asset pricing approach to identify bubble periods retrospectively and then compare those results with results produced by six other methods...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bourassa, S.C (Author), Hoesli, M. (Author), Oikarinen, E. (Author)
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2019
Online Access:View Fulltext in Publisher
Description
Summary:Using data for six metropolitan housing markets in three countries, this article provides a comparison of methods used to measure house price bubbles. We use an asset pricing approach to identify bubble periods retrospectively and then compare those results with results produced by six other methods. We also apply the various methods recursively to assess their ability to identify bubbles as they form. In view of the complexity of the asset pricing approach, we conclude that a simple price–rent ratio measure is a reliable method both ex post and in real time. Our results have important policy implications because a reliable signal that a bubble is forming could be used to avoid further house price increases. © 2016 American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association
ISBN:10808620 (ISSN)
DOI:10.1111/1540-6229.12154