The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index rose 0.3 percent in January compared to December, the eighth month showing gains in 20 major cities. Sales prices are down 0.7 percent from a year ago. We hear from some housing analysts that home prices will face pressure from rising foreclosures and the end of a Federal Reserve program that helped keep interest rates low.

Homes that are in disrepair are being heavily noticed by "flippers" and are drawing multiple offers from investors at auctions in foreclosure-ridden states such as Arizona and Florida. Such sales this year could get a boost from the FHA's one-year waiver of anti-flipping rules, enabling FHA borrowers to purchase foreclosed properties from owners who have held title for less than 90 days.

We will always keep you posted!