The S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are considered a leading measure of U.S. home prices. According to their most recent release, home values continue to show strength. In fact, the index found prices were up over the month before in all 20 included cities and are now rising faster than at any point since 2006. Craig J. Lazzara, managing director and global head of index investment strategy at S&P, says recent increases are among the highest they’ve recorded in more than 30 years of collecting price data. “More than 30 years of S&P Case-Shiller data help us to put February’s results into historical context,” Lazzara said. “The National Composite’s 12 percent gain is the highest recorded since February 2006, exactly 15 years ago, and lies comfortably in the top decile of historical performance. Housing’s strength is reflected across all 20 cities.” Price increases are good news for homeowners thinking about selling a home this year, as low inventory means more competition for available homes. (source)
