Sales increased 9.4% from August 2009. Increases ranged from 4.4% to 13% around the country. This is a good sign, but prices are still declining at 8.5% decline from the same time last year. However, this is the smallest decline in the past 13 months. (Information provided by the National Association of Realtors® )
We still have a long way to go, but as Lawrence Yun states “As long as home values continue to decline, I do not see how the economy can recover on a firm foundation”, the decline in housing prices is a clear indication that Americans are cutting back on spending and trying to budget for the future. So for many homeowners, they will either continue to owe more than their properties are worth, will have to do a mortgage modification or even lose their house to foreclosure.