Slower Growth

Housing values are still rising, but more slowly than they have in the past, which has soothed bubble-related concerns. Year-over-year, the average U.S. home price increased 5.56 percent between the second quarters of 2002 and 2003, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. That pace has eased in 2003, with housing so far appreciating at an annualized rate of 3.12 percent.