For all of those people who thought home sales would increase in May because of the home buying tax credit, think again. According to the National Association of Realtors, May sales fell from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.66 million. Sales have increased 25 percent from the 4.5 million annual rate hit in January 2009 — the lowest level of the recession. However, home sales are still down 22 percent from the peak rate of 7.25 million in September 2005. Tax credits are incentives, not guarantees. Maybe Americans are still a little gun shy of dealing with industries (mortgage and banking) that has a history of exploiting and devaluing consumers? Just a thought.
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