Consumers appear to be undaunted by reports of an economic slowdown, continuing to move into the housing market at a near record pace.

Despite interest rates that have stabilized well above their two-year low, the National Association of Realtors reports existing home sales last month were up 9.3 percent over where they were a year ago at this time. Most analysts had expected a sales increase of around 4.4 percent.

Trade association economist David Lereah attributed the upward move to the fact that consumers are unconcerned about relatively lofty interest rates. "Clearly affordable interest rates are the biggest key to the strength in this year's housing market," he said.

In August, the median existing-home sales price was $142,200.

Increase rates steady

The nation's top economists believe interest rates are likely to remain in a narrow ban for the next few months, but do not rule out another Fed increase toward the end of the year.

At the end of August the average rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage had dipped just below 8 percent. For the entire month, however, 30-year rates averaged 8.03 percent. A year ago interest rates were around 7.9 percent.

Experts say that even though increase rates are generally up from 1999, consumer spending is buoyed by high employment rates, increasing incomes and still fairly high stock market.

In the housing sector, economists also note there are more housing options than ever to help offset higher rates.

Builders expect good times to continue

A survey of the nation's home builders finds them moderately enthusiastic about the housing market over the next several months, forecasting that unless increase rates change dramatically sales should continue to be strong.

The Home Builder's "Housing Market Index" was comparatively flat last month, rating an overall 66 for single family sales.

That's "a good indication that stability is returning to the housing market now that mortgage interest rates have fallen in each of the last several months," said NAHB President Robert Mitchell.

The HMI is derived from a monthly survey in which builders are asked to rate current sales of single-family homes and sales expectations for the next six months. Any number over 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good rather than poor.

And you think you've got housing problems

Coming up this month at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is "Mars Week," and among academic papers being delivered will ones on how to set up Home Sweet Home on the Red planet.

Perhaps not surprisingly, Mars dwellers will face many of the same kind of housing issues everyone else faces - heating and cooling, energy conservation, creating a tight indoor environment and making room for all sorts of sophisticated gadgets.

One of the key papers will be on how to build a green house to grow food.