Home Prices, Real Estate | featured news

A 3.8% increase in April compared with the same period last year is the third straight month of appreciation but analysts say prices are likely to drop again with the end of the tax credit. L.A., San Diego see gain of 0.7%.

Home prices in 20 major cities gained ground for the third consecutive month in April when compared with their year-earlier levels.

U.S. home prices fell by 0.5% in March as compared to February, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index. The index measures average home prices in 20 major US cities. On a positive note, prices were up 2.3% versus March of 2009.

Home prices rose in nearly 60 percent of U.S. cities in the first quarter of this year, as the housing market started to stabilize thanks to billions of dollars in federal spending.

Federal subsidies, low interest rates, falling home prices--find out how to get on board before these benefits run out.

A closely watched index shows home prices posted their first quarterly increase in three years, signaling the housing market has turned a corner.