According to The Conference Board, economic confidence is as high as it's been since August 2007 -- 4 months before the start of the recession. Americans are optimistic again. It's good for home prices but bad for mortgage rates.
Publishing on a 2-month lag, the Federal Home Finance Agency said home prices fell by 1.6 percent nationally in December. And that's an average, of course. Some regions performed well in December as compared to November, others didn't.
Consumer Sentiment has been on the rise since last February and it's something to which home buyers should pay attention. The affordability of your next home may hinge on consumer confidence.