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The Case-Shiller Index showed big losses in Dec 2010 but its methodology is geared toward economists-- not people. The index is not for homeowner consumption.
For the 4th consecutive month, the Case-Shiller Index showed a softening in year-over-year home price declines. But, even more relevant than the annual Case-Shiller numbers, are the monthly ones. According to the data, 18 of the 20 tracked real estate markets improved between April to May. It's the Case-Shiller Index's strongest showing in nearly 3 years.
According to the March 2009 Case-Shiller Index report, home prices are down by nearly 19 percent nationwide. Or, at least, that's the story the press is running with. It makes for good headlines, but the data can be misleading to the average homebuyer in Cincinnati or Chicago or elsewhere. Home buyers shouldn't really care about annual price appreciation -- they should care about monthly price appreciation. As in, I've been looking for a home for the last 30 days -- are home prices trending higher while I'm in the process?
