Florida
Realtors reported yesterday that U.S. home prices “jumped in February by the
largest amount in 7 years, evidence that the housing recovery strengthened
ahead of the all-important spring-buying season.”
The real
estate data research company CoreLogic reported that home prices rose 10.2% in
February compared to the same time last year. For 12 months straight, prices
have been steadily climbing. (Coral Gables has also seen a steady increase in home prices in the past year.
Several
reasons were cited for the increase in prices: more sales of previously owned
homes and a very low inventory of homes for sale.
The cities
with the largest home price increases were Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York,
Phoenix and Riverside, Calif.
Although
home values remain low, down 26% since April of 2006, consumer confidence is
being fueled by higher home prices - enticing buyers to act quickly on a
purchase before prices rise further and making homeowners feel they will get
more for their house.
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