As Housing Market Dips, More in U.S. Are Staying Put

Experts said the lack of mobility was of concern on twofronts. It suggests that Americans were unable or unwillingto follow any job opportunities that may have existedaround the country, as they have in the past. And the lackof movement itself, they said, could have an impact on the economy, reducing the economic activity generated by moves.

Jed Smith, a research director for the National Association of Realtors, said that on average it took a homeowner 10.5 months to sell a house in 2008 compared with 8.9 months in 2007.

Joseph S. Tracy, research director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, said the lack of mobility meant less income for movers and the people they employ and less spending on renovation and on durable goods like appliances. But, Dr. Tracy said, the most troubling prospectis that people were no longer able to relocate for work.

但是，总体趋势从二战后就一直在下降呀。也就是说，可能房子更难卖出去、工作更难找是加速了流动性的减少，但是这个趋势并不是这两方面造成的，因为前面下降的时候并没有这两方面的原因。所以，我认为，造成流动性下降的原因有三：政策约束、新地方找工作是否容易、老房子是否容易卖出