Index: Consumers Ogling Home Prices

The percentage of consumers who believe homes are attractively priced has increased to a record high even as concerns about higher prices for other items has dropped overall consumer confidence to lows not seen since the early 1980s, according to a University of Michigan index. "Buying conditions for homes improved, reversing much of the decline registered in March, as a record-high 58% of respondents felt that prices were low and good buys were available (interestingly, borrowing costs and credit conditions were viewed less negatively)," said RBS Greenwich Capital strategist Michelle Girard in a report on the university's consumer sentiment index. The overall index fell to a low not seen since March 1982, and current and expected personal finances dropped to their lowest readings since November 1982 and April 1980, respectively, due to concern about high prices for items like food and fuel.