The Effects of Housing Prices and Monetary Policy in a Currency Union

Author/Editor:

Pau Rabanal ; Oriol Aspachs-Bracons

Publication Date:

January 1, 2011

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary:

The recent boom-and-bust cycle in housing prices has refreshed the debate on the drivers of housing cycles as well as the appropriate policy response. We analyze the case of Spain, where housing prices have soared since it joined the EMU. We present evidence based on a VAR model, and we calibrate a New Keynesian model of a currency area with durable goods to explain it. We find that labor market rigidities provide stronger amplification effects to all type of shocks than financial frictions do. Finally, we show that when the central bank reacts to house prices, the non-durable sector suffers an important contraction. As a result, the boom-and-bust cycle would not have been avoided if Spain had remained outside the EMU during the 1996-2007 period.

Series:

Working Paper No. 2011/006

Subject:

English

Publication Date:

January 1, 2011

ISBN/ISSN:

9781455211845/1018-5941

Stock No:

WPIEA2011006

Pages:

52

Please address any questions about this title to publications@imf.org