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Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Real Case-Shiller Composite Indices

by Calculated Risk on 10/28/2008 02:09:00 PM

Here is a look at the real (inflation adjusted) Case-Shiller Composite 10 and 20 city indices. Nominal prices are adjusted using CPI less shelter, and Jan 2000 is set to 100.

Case-Shiller House Real Composite Prices Indices Click on graph for larger image in new window.

In real terms, prices have fallen close to 30% from the peak, and have fallen by about 2/3 of the way back to January 2000 real prices.

Of course there is nothing magical about 2000 prices, and prices could fall more or less than to 100 on the graph. I don't have much to add, but I think real prices are a better gauge than nominal prices as to how far prices will probably fall. I expect these real indices to decline for some time.