Home sales pace increases in December, third month in a row

Home sales in December reached the highest pace in nearly a year. The gain coincided with other signs that the troubled U.S. housing market improved at the end of2011.

Analysts caution that sales remain historically low and it will take years for the home market to return to full health.

Still, the third straight monthly sales increase was encouraging. And economists noted that conditions are in place for further gains this year:

Prices have declined. Mortgage rates have never been lower. Homebuilders are slightly more hopeful because more people are saying they might be open to buying this year. And home construction picked up in the final quarter last year.

Sales rose across the country in December. They rose on a seasonal basis more than 10% in the Northeast, 8.3% in the Midwest, 2.9% in the South and 2.6% in the West.

Read Full Article from USA TODAY

- Posted: 2012-01-20 12:38:58

More Stock Investor Place Top Stories

Anglo platinum arm sheds 14,000 jobs, risking unrest Apple falls below $500 US retail sales rose 0.5 percent in December, led by autos, furniture and clothing sales Recovery in U.S. Saving 8 Million Underwater Homeowners Facebook shares rise in buildup to mystery event, earnings

Stock Investor Place Top Stories Archive

January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008