10 Cities Where List Prices Soared Last Month

Jay's Notes:  Phoenix enjoyed the second highest price growth in the nation.  As markets finally start to recover, they will experience appraisal issues for those buyers that are using financing.  This is because appraisers will use comparable sales that are six months old and sold before prices went up.  Phoenix is experiencing this problem now and this will extend to other markets as they recover.  While this is a problem for those using financing, it is a sign of a healthy market that is enjoying price increases.

Median list prices nationwide have risen 4.05 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to November housing data of 146 metro areas from Realtor.com. Fewer cities are reporting year-over-year list price declines, “suggesting a growing optimism on the part of sellers about 2012 market conditions,” according to Realtor.com. 
So where have prices risen the most in the last month? The following are the 10 cities that saw the largest median list price increases from October to November.

1. Central Fla.-Regional Statistical Area

Month-to-month median increase: 5.63 percent
Year-over-year increase: 14.27 percent
Median list price: $169,000

2. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz.

Month-to-month increase: 4.46 percent
Year-over-year increase: 10.54 percent
Median list price: $164,700

3. Miami, Fla. 

Month-to-month increase: 3.60 percent
Year-over-year increase: 29.50 percent
Median list price: $259,000

4. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. 

Month-to-month increase: 3 percent
Year-over-year decrease: -2.50 percent
Median list price: $144,200

5. New York, N.Y. 

Month-to-month increase: 2.71 percent
Year-over-year decrease: -2.57 percent
Median list price: $379,000

6. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla. 

Month-to-month increase: 2.69 percent
Year-over-year increase: 21.63 percent
Median list price: $224,900

7. Iowa City, Iowa 

Month-to-month increase: 2.50 percent
Year-over-year increase: 3.02 percent
Median list price: $204,900

8. Tucson, Ariz. 

Month-to-month increase: 2.41 percent
Year-over-year increase: 2.41 percent
Median list price: $174,000

9. Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. 

Month-to-month increase: 2.13 percent
Year-over-year increase: 16.56 percent
Median list price: $240,000

10. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla. 

Month-to-month increase: 1.86 percent
Year-over-year increase: 15.26 percent
Median list price: $219,000
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey for REALTOR® Magazine’s Daily News