Home prices in 20 U.S. cities climbed in the 12 months through January at the fastest pace since July 2014, while nationwide the increase in property values also accelerated, according to S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller data reported Tuesday.
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Lean housing inventory helps explain why home prices are appreciating at more than twice the rate of inflation and wage growth, an impediment to an even bigger advance in housing demand. That's making it difficult for some Americans to transition from renter to homeowner, a reason investors remain a big part of the market as they purchase properties and convert them to rental units.
"Tight supplies and rising prices may be deterring some people from trading up to a larger house, further aggravating supplies because fewer people are selling their homes," David Blitzer, chairman of the S&P index committee, said in a statement. "The prices also hurt affordability as higher prices and mortgage rates shrink the number of households that can afford to buy at current price levels."
All 20 cities in the index showed year-over-year gains, led by an 11.3% advance in Seattle and a 9.7% increase in Portland, Ore. After seasonal adjustment, Seattle had the biggest month-over-month rise at 1.7%, followed by a 1.3% increase in Chicago. Home prices fell 0.1% in Cleveland.
