Home Tax Credit Expiration to Lead to Second Housing Slump?

We had a few months of good news for the housing markets, as homebuyers rushed to take advantage of the $8,000 federal homebuyer tax credit. But leading indicators for the housing market -- from the number of mortgage applications, to housing start, to builder confidence -- have tanked since the homebuyer tax credit hit its deadline April 30.

It's like the hangover after a wild party, leading to the usual question: Was it worth it?