An Analysis of the Effects of Exchange Rate Fluctuations on Housing Investment in Iran

Housing sector situation enhances economic booms and stagnations and the sector is deeply affected by financial problems. The research is analyzed the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on housing investment in Iran. Private investment for construction of new housing units in the urban areas is used as the indicator for housing investment. Using the data for a period of 1992 to 2013, the paper shows a negative and significant relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and housing investment. Any increase in foreign exchange fluctuations leads the housing investors away from construction sector and increases their preference for investment in foreign exchange market. A possible cause of such movement may be an expectation of future recession in housing sector and an expectation of higher return in the foreign exchange market.