Hypothesis testing in hedonic price estimation – On the selection of independent variables

Various approaches to hypothesis testing have been used in the past for the purpose of estimating hedonic price equations. The criteria for testing and rejecting explanatory variables have however rarely been made explicit. This paper argues that the results of earlier studies should be used according to structured and not overly arbitrary criteria for selecting which variables to test as well as for their subsequent acceptance or rejection. An explanatory analysis of Singapore's condominium market is used as an empirical illustration of the decision rule for variable selection proposed in the methodological part of the paper.