Slowdown in residential building and home sales will be felt throughout the economy; weaker jobs and consumer spending expectedNEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - You don't need to be in the market to buy or sell a home to be affected by the cooling housing market. [Everybody studies home sales] * * * because the sector has lifted * * * consumer spending and economic activity. This week has brought several new readings indicating that the super-heated real estate market of 2004 and 2005 is rapidly fading in the rearview mirror. Housing starts and building permits were down sharply in April, and...