The main reason for concern about the U.S. economy, and whether or not it will slip into recession, has to do with falling home prices. The subprime mortgage crisis had a direct impact in several ways, but it is the residual impact on home prices that is the most serious threat. In the final analysis, the most effective turnaround tool is the fear of losing a bargain. Once buyer sentiment shifts in the direction of thinking that prices may never be lower, the market starts to gather momentum again.