Behind The Numbers

Transparency is good.  Here is a brief look into the details behind the statistics.  If you have comments, questions, or suggestions on the methodology of attaining my data, use the form below to e-mail me.  Thanks.

Statistic	Source	Explanation/Link
Home Prices Report	MLXchange – Professional Realtor Software.  Available through Des Moines Area Association of Realtors (DMAAR).	Home prices are figured using their 3 month moving average (ie. Case-Schiller methodology).  Prices are not seasonally adjusted.   Yearly growth rate determined by figuring out the monthly year over year percentage change, and averaging the most recent 12 months of data.
Employment Situation Report & Unemployment Rate	Bureau of Labor Statistics	http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LAUMT19197804?data_tool=XgtableYearly growth rate determined by figuring out the monthly year over year percentage change, and averaging  the most recent 12 months of data.Data from Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison, & Warren Counties
Cost of New Construction	Bureau of Labor Statistics	http://data.bls.gov/timeseries/PCUBRES–BRES–Yearly growth rate determined by figuring out the monthly year over year percentage change.
Foreclosure & Delinquency Rates	CoreLogic, Subscription	Foreclosure Rate:  This measures the percentage of loans in some stage of foreclosure including 90+ delinquencies through properties sold at auction. This does not represent the number of new foreclosure filings as provided by other data companies, but rather the current stock, or inventory, of loans in the foreclosure process which offers a comprehensive view of foreclosure trends.90+ Day Delinquency Rate:  This measures the percentage of loans that are more than 90 days delinquent, including those in foreclosure and REO (real estate owned).
Building Permits	U.S. Census	http://censtats.census.gov/bldg/bldgprmt.shtml3 month average to smooth data.  Yearly growth rate determined by figuring out the monthly year over year percentage change, and averaging  the most recent 12 months of data.
Interest Rates	Freddie Mac	http://www.freddiemac.com/pmms/pmms30.htm
Iowa Leading Economic Indicators	Iowa Department of Revenue	http://www.iowa.gov/tax/taxlaw/econindicators.htmlThe Dept. of Revenue considers a contraction signal in the state leading indicators index reliable when two conditions are met:  1. the index declines by at least two percent over a six month period(using an annual rate); and, 2. a majority of the individual components also decline over those six months (diffusion index).

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