Start With Houses  Posted April 23, 2009, at 5:48 p.m.  The
current economic crisis, most experts agree, was triggered by a
collapse of the housing sector. To help turn the economy around,
it makes sense to boost that portion of the economy, while
remaining cautious so as to avoid making the same mistakes that
led to people earning $30,000 buying $300,000 houses.  The Bush
and Obama administrations focused on shoring up banks because
they provide financing for home mortgages and businesses. But
the time has come to nudge consumers to begin buying again. The
Obama team has taken steps to help those struggling to pay their
mortgages, but more can be done to warm up the housing market.
One plan, proposed by economist and Yale School of Management
business professor Barry Nalebuff would have the federal
government offer home buyers a kind of home equity insurance. A
policy would protect them from a house losing value after
purchase. It would be a less expensive program than other
federal incentives, Mr. Nalebuff