National home prices continue to falter

As foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to dominate the national real estate market, home prices continued to slide during the latter part of 2010.

According to the Case-Shiller home price index from Standard & Poor's, home prices in 20 of the country's largest cities - not including Houston - slipped 1 percent from October to November. It was the fifth straight month in which prices fell, hastening some analysts to predict a national "double dip" - in which prices would fall below their 2009 levels and reach new lows since the recession began.

"With these numbers, more analysts will be calling for a double-dip in home prices," said David Blitzer, spokesman for Standard & Poor's, who said that such a trend could be borne out by the spring.

Just one city included in the report - San Diego - showed improved prices in November, and just four have seen prices grow over the past year.

The report continues to show the differences between the Houston real estate market and national trends. While homes have steadily shed value nationwide, the median home price in Houston last month was the highest ever recorded in December, according to the Houston Association of Realtors.