This paper extends Frank’s (2006) very simple model to analyze the welfare effects of appreciation and depreciation in a world with property taxes and moving costs. It is shown that appreciation can make homeowners worse off but that depreciation can not make homeowners who intend to stay in their house worse off. Our model provides a simple framework that can be used discuss the rationale for alternative policies to aid homeowners during periods of both appreciation and depreciation.
| Attachment | Size |
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| MerrimanWP-Housing.pdf | 149.73 KB |

