home buyer tax credit extension

Pending home sales in the U.S. unexpectedly fell 1.8% in September, the National Association of Realtors reported Friday. It was the statistic's first decline in three months, and one that suggests that the housing sector's recovery is likely to remain uneven through at least early 2011.

Home prices in 20 major U.S. cities rose a better-than-expected 0.5% in May, Case-Shiller said Tuesday. However, analysts warn that it's probably too early to celebrate, as the housing market has a long and difficult road ahead of it.

The recent extension of the $6,500 federal home buyer tax credit to existing homeowners stands to help the economy, according to a new survey by Coldwell Banker. Only 6% of those 1,000 surveyed said they would splurge -- on shopping or vacations. Though no one wants to appear frivolous in a...