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National home prices have fallen to levels not seen since the end of 2002, but
a closer look at data released yesterday shows the worst may be over for some
metropolitan areas.
The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller National Home Price index reported home
prices tumbled by 19.1 percent in the first quarter compared to the first
quarter last year, the largest drop in its 21-year history. Home prices have
fallen 32.2 percent since peaking in the second quarter of 2006.
In cities across the country, home prices vary dramatically depending on
affordability, foreclosure activity and the local economy. The bottom may be in
sight in some markets, but nationally home values are expected to decline –
though at a slower pace – for the rest of the year.
“We continue to believe that it is unlikely that we are anywhere near a
bottom in nationwide home prices,” according to Joshua Shapiro, chief
for New York-based economic consulting firm MFR Inc.
It’s hard to believe it could get much worse for homeowners in the
are worth what they sold for in 1995. And while that’s good news for
homebuyers, the implosion of the auto industry and economic fallout means fewer
buyers have the money to qualify for a mortgage.
“I feel like houses here are free,” said
Jouan with Re/Max Showcase Homes. Her house that she sold in 2004 for $200,000
is on the sales block, bank-owned, for $86,000.
In
since their peaks, home values have receded to levels not seen since the
beginning of the real estate boom.
prices are at early 2001 levels and
Vegas
Home values in
and
steady at 2005 prices, the best showing of all 20 cities in the Case-Shiller
report. All three were some of the last to fall into the housing slump.
The Case-Shiller report offered other
hopeful signs the worst may be over for some cities.
prices posted an increase over February, while
All 20 cities showed monthly and annual
price declines, with nine setting annual records. Fifteen cities posted
double-digit drops and
Vegas
recorded declines of more than 30 percent.
not one of the cities considered in the report.
“We see no evidence that a recovery in
home prices has begun,” said David M. Blitzer, chairman of the S&P
index committee.
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