Economists worry that the end of the home buyers’ tax credit will curtail housing demand, pulling prices down with it. The focus on the credit, however, may miss key points about the outlook for home demand and prices. The future of home buying will rely less on real-estate fundamentals and more on how consumers view job prospects. Until the labor market perks up, lifting paychecks along with it, households will remain reluctant or unable to take on a long-term mortgage.