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CoreLogic: Home prices increased 7.4% in 2014

Appreciation stabilized in last four months

Home prices continued to moderate as last year came to a close, with home prices, including distresses sales, increasing 5% in December 2014 compared to last year, the latest CoreLogic (CLGX) home price report said.

On a monthly basis, home prices nationwide, including distressed sales, dropped by .1% in December compared to November.  

"Nationally, home price appreciation took a pause in November and December 2014 and we expect a slow start to 2015," said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "As the year progresses, we expect upward pressure as low inventories and more first-time buyers drive up home prices."

Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia are at or within 10% of their peak, while three states showed year-over-year home price depreciation. These states were Maryland (-0.7%), Vermont (-0.9%) and Connecticut (-2.2%).

Excluding distressed sales, home prices increased 4.9% in December 2014 compared to December 2013 and increased 0.1% month over month compared to November 2014.

"For the full year of 2014, home prices increased 7.4%, down from an 11.1% increase in 2013," said Sam Khater, deputy chief economist at CoreLogic.

"Nationally, home price growth moderated and stabilized at 5% the last four months of the year. The moderation can be clearly seen at the state level, with Colorado, Texas and New York at the high end of appreciation, ending the year with increases of about 8%. This contrasts with previous appreciation rates in the double digits–for instance, Nevada and California which experienced increases of more than 20% earlier in 2014," Khater said.

Looking ahead, home prices, including distressed sales, are projected to increase 0.1% month over month from December 2014 to January 2015. Full-year 2015 (December to December) increase is projected to be 4.8%.

“House price pressures came off the boil at the end of 2014, with the year-on-year rate of house price inflation at or around 5% during the final four months of the year,” analysts with Capital Economics said. “With the supply of homes for sale set to move closer into balance with demand, prices are likely to continue to increase at around this rate during 2015.”

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