While the S&P/Case-Shiller national home price index of the 20 largest markets remains 24.4 percent below the peak of June 2006, it rose 12.2 percent in May above May 2012, the largest year-over-year increase since March 2006. April 2013 rose 12.1 percent over April 2012. A year ago homes that had been on the market for many months, even years, began selling, with prices rising each month since June 2012, and each month saw a bigger increase than the previous month. The rise in mortgage rates has yet to stem the rise in prices, which have been fed by an accompanying drop in foreclosures. Some of the markets hardest hit by the housing bubble are the ones experiencing the largest current gains: Prices in San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Atlanta are all up more than 20% from a year ago. Some fear the housing bubble may return, according to what CNNMoney tells MHProNews. But Joseph LaVorgna, chief US economist for Deutsche Bank, says, “Affordability remains near historic highs despite the recent rise in rates and home prices. And the increase in home prices should encourage banks to ease lending standards for mortgages, since the collateral for the underlying loan is appreciating in value.”
