Housing Market Index

U.S. home prices fell for a third straight month in nearly all cities tracked by a major index. The declines show that most homeowners are not reaping the benefits from some signs of an improving housing market. Prices dropped in November from October in 19 of the 20 cities tracked, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index released Tuesday.

U.S. home prices fell in most major cities for the second straight month, further evidence that the housing recovery will be bumpy and weigh on the broader economy in 2012. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index released Tuesday showed prices dropped in October from September in 19 of the 20 cities tracked.

Real estate bulls are relishing this week's fresh housing data: The Case-Shiller Index showed a 3.6% sequential uptick during the second quarter. Good news, to be sure, but home prices still fell during the first half of the year, and the trends in real estate don't look good for homeowners.

Technically, the homebuilder sentiment index inched one point higher to 16 in November. But the gain was offset by a revised one-point dip in October's reading, and the numbers remain well below those seen during a healthy housing market.

Home builder confidence unexpectedly rose in October, the National Association of Home Builders said Monday. What's more, while the housing sector still faces many hurdles -- including the U.S. economy's health -- the group added that it has detected a slight increase in Americans considering a home purchase.

The U.S. housing sector took another hit this month as homebuilder sentiment unexpectedly fell to 13 in August from 14 in July. The measure has been drifting lower since the federal homebuyers tax credit expired this spring.

The U.S. real estate market recorded another setback in July: The National Association of Home Builders reported that its Housing Market Index fell to 14 from 16 in June, with builder confidence waning and sales dipping after the expiration of the federal home-buyers tax credit.

A setback on the housing front, but one that was expected: home builder confidence plunged in June, the National Association of Home Builders said, as builders%u2019 sentiment became more reserved following the April 30 end of the home buyer tax credit.

A modest setback on the housing front, as home builder confidence unexpectedly fell in January, as concern about job growth and the large supply of foreclosed homes on the market weighed on builders' sentiment.

The National Association of Home Builders said Tuesday its Housing Market Index fell again in December to 16, from November's reading of 17 -- the index's lowest level since June. According to a Bloomberg News survey, economists had expected the index to rise to 18 in December. The index was at 20...