Reference Dependence in the Housing Market

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2022
Volume: 112
Issue: 10
Pages: 3398-3440

Authors (5)

Steffen Andersen (Copenhagen Business School) Cristian Badarinza (not in RePEc) Lu Liu (not in RePEc) Julie Marx (not in RePEc) Tarun Ramadorai (Imperial College)

Score contribution per author:

1.609 = (α=2.01 / 5 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We quantify reference dependence and loss aversion in the housing market using rich Danish administrative data. Our structural model includes loss aversion, reference dependence, financial constraints, and a sale decision, and matches key nonparametric moments, including a "hockey stick" in listing prices with nominal gains, and bunching at zero realized nominal gains. Households derive substantial utility from gains over the original house purchase price; losses affect households roughly 2.5 times more than gains. The model helps explain the positive correlation between aggregate house prices and turnover, but cannot explain visible attenuation in reference dependence when households are more financially constrained.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:112:y:2022:i:10:p:3398-3440
Journal Field
General
Author Count
5
Added to Database
2026-01-24