The Real-Time Housing Market Report shows an interesting trend. Housing prices are down a little over half a percent. That's no surprise, but out of 25 markets, only seven fell in asking price. That's a big improvement over March when listing prices fell 2.7 percent.

Asking prices fell fastest in Las Vegas -- down 2.7 percent in April, with the largest three-month declines in Vegas (off 5.1 percent) and Philadelphia (down 4.5 percent.)

But the housing slump appears over in Denver, where listing prices rose 2.6 percent and in Charlotte, up 2.1 percent.

Prices also increased by more than one percent in Boston, Houston, Dallas and San Francisco. Asking prices stayed flat in San Diego, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.

Research director for Real IQ Stephen Bedikian says, "We are now seeing price stability or price increases in most markets. Only the most troubled markets -- Las Vegas, Miami, Tampa, Philly and Phoenix continued price declines."

For-sale inventories rose in 19 of 25 markets by 0.8 percent and 5.6 percent for the last three months.

Days on market have gone down from 122 in February, to 119 in March to 111 in April, which is also a positive trend. Miami and Detroit experienced the longest days on market.

Austin, Texas, sold homes the fastest at 67 days on market.

That means it's time to carefully watch inventory build-up. It's spring so it's natural for more homes to come on the market, but it's begining to look like some markets may have bottomed in February.

Published: May 12, 2008

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