Housing prices may be stabilizing

McClatchy Newspapers (MCT) - A monthly study that tracks asking prices of homes in major markets nationwide is showing some "fragile signs" of stability.

Prices of properties listed for sale were higher in 18 of the 26 markets surveyed by Altos Research and Real IQ.

"It's important to note that it's far too early to call this any kind of recovery in the housing market," Michael Simonsen, Altos' chief executive, said in a release. "These are the first inklings that low interest rates and desperate sellers have coincided to create a kind of floor where well-financed buyers are picking up bargains."

Prices rose the fastest in San Francisco (3.8 percent) and fell the fastest in Las Vegas (4 percent) and Salt Lake City (3.9 percent) last month.

Prices have increased during each of the past three months in New York, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami and Charlotte, N.C.

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© 2009, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.