The New Normal: After A Rollercoaster Ride, U.S. Home Prices are Finally Getting Back to Normal

Earlier this week, CNNMoney reported that Fiserv Case-Shiller is predicting a change for the better in home prices. And it's a change that would see the average home's sale price increase by 3.3% annually by 2017. 

The much discussed and still oft-debated stabilization of the real estate market appears to have staying power. Based on the results of year-end statistics for 2012, 62% of the metro areas surveyed reported rising home prices, including areas like Phoenix, which were hardest hit when the housing bubble burst.

While there are still foreclosures in the mix, that number is down as well. The survey also cited other positive trends including increased home affordability and low mortgage rates.  

If these trends continue, the housing sector should continue to grow stronger and at a healthy pace, which would have a positive effect on the nation's economy.