U.S. home values edged up from January to February, rising 0.3% before seasonal adjustments and 0.1% after, according to the Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Year over year, prices are up 0.7%.
Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows prices were mostly flat month over month (seasonally adjusted), with a stronger 1.7% annual gain for homes backed by conventional loans.
What’s the bottom line?
Home prices have now increased for seven consecutive months, per Case-Shiller, at roughly a 3% annual pace. Even modest gains can make a difference over time. For instance, a $500,000 home appreciating at 3% would add about $15,000 in value in a year, underscoring the long-term wealth potential of homeownership.
