Pace of new home sales second slowest on record
CIGA Eric
New homes sold at the second-slowest pace on record in August, signaling that the housing market will remain a drag on the economy.
The second break in the secular downtrend within housing is a big concern for an over-leveraged, consumption-driven economy. The article characterizes this concern as a "drag". I would characterize it as an anchor. The dead-weight of housing ensures more bailouts and "save me" stimuli.
New Home Sales And Change YOY, SA 
Home prices struggle while gold soars. The relative comparison illustrates an anchor-like drop to at least the 1980 lows.
U.S. Median Home Price (MHP) to Gold: 
Source: finance.yahoo.com
Jim,
Here is an interesting commentary on gold from David A. Rosenberg, Chief Economist & Strategist at Gluskin Sheff and Associates in Toronto.
Previously he was Chief North American Economist for Bank of America.
Regards,
David D
