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House Price Index (HPI)

The House Price Index (HPI) is an important economic indicator used to track home prices in the United States. The HPI measures changes in the prices of existing single-family homes over time and is released on a monthly basis by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). It provides information on the strength of the housing market and can be used to assess risks associated with the housing sector.

The HPI is made up of three components: the rolling quarter component (which includes data from the last three months), the rolling year component (which includes data from the last 12 months), and the inflation component (which includes data from the current month year-over-year). Data is collected from sales of existing homes in the preceding quarter or year. The HPI is a weighted average index, meaning that each component of the index is weighted based on the size and type of loan purchased.

The HPI is an important indicator for the market, both for the public and investors. It helps the public monitor changing housing values in the United States, giving them more information about the real estate market. For investors, the HPI provides insight into potential risks and opportunities associated with the housing sector. It can also be used to analyze how house prices are likely to move in the near future, helping investors to make more informed decisions about investments in this sector.

The HPI is a good indicator of the state of the housing market because it measures house prices as opposed to other measures such as median sales prices, which are based on a sample set of data. By tracking house prices over a period of time, the HPI offers a more accurate representation of house values than measures that rely on the sale of individual properties.

Overall, the House Price Index (HPI) is a valuable economic indicator that provides information on house prices in the United States. By tracking changes in house prices and providing insight into risks and opportunities associated with the housing sector, the HPI helps the public and investors to better understand and identify trends in the housing market.

Glossary Index