Affordable mortgage money and in many areas really mouth-watering prices are helping the real estate market out, but it needs much more than that in this frustrating economic environment. The famous up to $8,000 tax credit, it is due to expire at the end of November, for first-time home buyers did boost sales a degree or two. Still, the housing sector keeps on drifting along without too much purpose.  

Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA, National Association of Realtors, or NAR, and National Home Builders Association, or NAHB, are the heavy hitters on the real estate scene who now are twisting arms in Washington to get the soon-to-expire tax credit expanded. Not just extended but broadened. What they have in mind, as the main points, is to hike the credit up to $15,000, include all buyers and do away with income limits. Their lobbying efforts have so far spurred 20 or so different bills, more are probably on the way, in Congress to address the issue. That's a big surprise. Everybody and his nephew obviously wants to get credit for doing something for the doubtful and besieged voter.  

The real estate market could truly use such an expansion. The demand side is still quite soft and this would give prospects some more incentive to begin chipping away at the high inventory of homes for sale out there. Housing is a key component of the whole economy and it needs to get healthier to give the much anticipated recovery a strong leg to stand on.

Besides, the government has so far - for the most part - been pouring gazillions on irresponsible Wall Street operators to keep them afloat while largely ignoring the average consumer. Despite the taxpayer charity mortgage lenders inexcusably continue to drag their feet in doing timely home loan modifications, expediting short sales and helping out otherwise. It's about time that more focus is shifted toward the consumer. With the right length of carrot he'll step forward and start lifting housing out of the gutter.