Illiquidity and its discontents: Trading delays and foreclosures in the housing market

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Hedlund, Aaron
• 署名单位: University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Columbia
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF MONETARY ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0304-3932
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoneco.2016.08.005
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 1-13
• 关键词: housing; liquidity; search theory; Mortgage debt; Foreclosures

摘要

The macroeconomic effects of housing illiquidity are analyzed using a novel directed search model of housing with long-term debt and default. Debt overhang emerges when highly leveraged sellers are forced to post high prices that produce long selling delays. These delays increase foreclosures, raise default premia, and curtail credit. Cheaper credit fuels temporarily higher house prices, faster sales, and fewer foreclosures, but the borrowing surge facilitates future debt overhang and default. More stringent foreclosure punishments also expand credit and, therefore, either generate higher foreclosures or more debt overhang. Leverage caps avoid this conundrum but reduce welfare by restricting borrowing. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.