On a monthly basis, the New Housing Price Index (NHPI) fell 0.4% in October, the largest monthly decline since April 2009. However, the picture was mixed across the country, as prices were down in 9 out of 27 census metropolitan areas (CMAs) surveyed, but unchanged in 11 CMAs and up in the remaining 7.
Renters do cover expenses like that. Because they pay rent. And rent pays for all of that plus profit.