House Prices Rose in April, Government Says

Washington, DC, June 22, 2011 -- U.S. house prices rose 0.8% on a seasonally adjusted basis from March to April, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s monthly House Price Index.

The previously reported 0.3% decrease in March was revised to a 0.4% decrease.

For the 12 months ending in April, U.S. prices fell 5.7%. The U.S. index is 19.3% below its April 2007 peak and roughly the same as the January 2004 index level.

The FHFA monthly index is calculated using purchase prices of houses backing mortgages that have been sold to or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.