Home prices

U.K. house prices increased at their fastest pace in more than a year this month, according to Nationwide Building Society.

Home sales entered the fourth quarter stronger than last year here, up nearly 5%, and the median price was also surging, ending October at $179,000, according to the Oklahoma City Metro Association of Realtors.

Dallas-area home prices were up 3% in the latest nationwide comparison — the greatest gain in six months.

San Diego County's median home price was $573,500 in October, lifted by a big increase in sales.

The median sales price for single-family homes in the Bradenton, Fla., area jumped 9.1% in October, compared to the previous year, to $325,000.

The supply of homes for sale in Atlanta continued to fall, which helped push prices higher last month, according to several reports.

Loan limits for most mortgages Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy will exceed $500,000 for the first time ever next year, and the maximum for most high-cost areas will be $765,000.

While affordability remains a challenge with the continued strain on housing supply, purchasing power took a big leap in September thanks to a rise in income and descending interest rates, according to First American Financial Corp.

Contract signings for previously sold U.S. homes fell by the most since July while remaining healthy on an annual basis.

The median home price in Santa Fe County dipped 4.2% from $405,000 to $388,000 from September to October, according to the New Mexico Association of Realtors.