Video: CNBC Exclusive Interview with Maureen Maitland on U.S. Home Prices for March

Thank you for the question and for following our Indices.

The question of “What’s Going on in Atlanta” has recently been addressed by HousingViews Author, David Stiff — Chief Economist at Fiserv Case-Shiller. In his post, David suggests that the significant increase in the sales volume of bank-owned properties in the Atlanta area is the primary reason for the fall in average home values in the Atlanta MSA. Changes in the volume of bank-owned sales can cause changes in average prices that will be reflected in the S&P/Case-Shiller Indices.

Here is a direct link to David’s post which provides a bit more color on Atlanta home prices.

http://www.housingviews.com/2012/01/05/what%E2%80%99s-going-on-in-atlanta/

As to the factor(s) that is the most different between Atlanta and Phoenix….location & timing. In speaking with S&P Indices Vice President, Maureen Maitland (also a contributor to this blog), Atlanta is now where Phoenix was 2 years ago. The Phoenix housing market is certainly not a healthy one, but the numbers are showing that it might have completed its downward cycle. Atlanta has seemingly not. Also, the health of local economies is also at play here and needs to be considered when comparing one MSA to another.

Dave