IN MOST OF AMERICA, HOME PRICES CREEP UP

Residential real estate prices have increased by about 5%, adjusted for inflation, since the end of the first quarter. As the inventory of existing homes for sale shrinks, a housing recovery could solidify. Sales have increased sharply in some of the hardest-hit states.

table (available online)

City Slide

Prices in expensive metro areas have fallen more than the 11% U.S. average

PRICIEST REAL ESTATE MARKETS

MEDIAN HOME

ESTIMATED

METRO AREA

PRICE IN THOUSANDS*

ONE-YEAR % CHANGE

San Jose

$566

-12.9%

San Francisco

$538

-12.6%

Anaheim, Calif.
$499

-3.3%

New York

$450

-13.9%

Stamford, Conn.
$398

-15.6%

Data: National Association of Realtors

* As of Q3 2009