Mixed signs for a real estate recovery

A South Florida real estate agent recently experienced a bidding war for a house, just one indication that economic revival may be progressing, however unevenly. Nationwide housing prices climbed 2.9 percent from the first to second quarter of the year, and consumer confidence is rising. Economic forecasters remain divided about the sustainability of government stimulus measures such as first-time homebuyer tax credit. However, home prices rose in 18 of the 20 cities tracked by the S&P/Case-Shiller index from May to June.