More Signs Of A Bottom : New Home Sales Unexpectedly Rise

The national housing market got its third piece of good news in 3 days:

• Monday: Existing Home Sales up
• Tuesday: Home values appear higher nationally
• Wednesday: New Home Sales up

And although national real estate statistics are irrelevant to the local markets in which real estate transactions happen, to a country of would-be and wanna-be home buyers, repeated positive news on housing can be a strong signal that it's time to get off the sidelines.

At least, that's what the data is showing us.  According to an industry trade group, first-time home buyers accounted for half of all sales of previously-owned homes. 

The stimulus package's $8,000 tax credit likely played a role in this 50 percent figure, as well as sagging home prices in most markets and low mortgage rates nationwide.

But lest we carried away, we can't forget that February's New Home Sales is still the second-lowest tally on record and that two months of data doesn't define "turnaround".

On the other hand, if the trend continues through the Spring Buying Season, we'll likely look back at Winter 2009 as the low point in housing.

(Image courtesy: LA Times)