By request, here is a graph overlaying light vehicle sales and existing home sales - and showing the impact of "cash for clunkers" and the "first time home buyer" tax credit. (ht Brian)



Click on graph for larger image in new window.



The red line (left axis) is vehicle sales. The blue line (right axis) is existing home sales since Jan 2008. Both are in millions of units at a Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR).



The Cash for Clunkers program was effective on July 1, 2009, but didn't really start until near the end of July. The program was expanded in early August, and ended on August 24th.



The First Time Home Buyer tax credit was passed in February with an initial deadline to close on the home by November 30, 2009. The home buyer tax credit was extended and expanded at the end of October, and now buyers must sign a contract by April 30, 2010, and close by June 30, 2010.



There will probably be another surge in existing home sales in May and June (reported when sales close). And then sales will probably decline again.