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Micro-geographic property price and rent indices

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  • Ahlfeldt, Gabriel M.
  • Heblich, Stephan
  • Seidel, Tobias

Abstract

We develop a programming algorithm that predicts a balanced-panel mix-adjusted house price index for arbitrary spatial units from repeated cross-sections of geocoded micro data. The algorithm combines parametric and non-parametric estimation techniques to provide a tight local fit where the underlying micro data are abundant, and reliable extrapolations where data are sparse. To illustrate the functionality, we generate a panel of German property prices and rents that is unprecedented in its spatial coverage and detail. This novel data set uncovers a battery of stylized facts that motivate further research, e.g. on the positive correlation between density and price-to-rent ratios in levels and trends, both within and between cities. Our method lends itself to the creation of comparable neighborhood-level rent indices (Mietspiegel) across Germany.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahlfeldt, Gabriel M. & Heblich, Stephan & Seidel, Tobias, 2023. "Micro-geographic property price and rent indices," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 116649, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    • Handle: RePEc:ehl:lserod:116649
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    File URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/116649/
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    2. Bachtrögler-Unger, Julia & Dolls, Mathias & Krolage, Carla & Schüle, Paul & Taubenböck, Hannes & Weigand, Matthias, 2023. "EU cohesion policy on the ground: Analyzing small-scale effects using satellite data," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Molloy, Raven, 2024. "JUE insight: Differences in rent growth by income from 1985 to 2021 and implications for inflation," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    4. Duso, Tomaso & Michelsen, Claus & Schaefer, Maximilian & Tran, Kevin Ducbao, 2024. "Airbnb and rental markets: Evidence from Berlin," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    5. Michał Hebdzyński, 2024. "Price-setting factors or revealed preferences? How to understand the results of hedonic models and hedonic indices of the housing rental market that base on listings data?," Bank i Kredyt, Narodowy Bank Polski, vol. 55(4), pages 519-550.

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    Keywords

    index; real estate; price; property; rent;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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