Could retailers be sinking the housing market?

Ok, so I doubt they’re sinking the housing market but retailers are likely having some influence in the housing market today:

• When the annual holiday season rolls around, home buyer activity falls sharply and home seller activity wanes too.
• In addition, retailers are also throwing out their holiday deals sooner as well – what once was left for the day after Thanksgiving is now becoming a month-long saleabration. When consumers spend money on “deals” they are less likely to be saving for a home.
• This year we have retailers putting out their holiday displays sooner than ever before.  When you start the holiday season early (retailers) then you shorten the “home selling season.”

So if the housing market slows to a crawl this Winter, just blame the retailers.  I know I will.