by Calculated Risk on 7/29/2009 09:06:00 AM

From David Streitfeld at the NY Times: Recovery Signs in Housing Market Stir Some Hope

After a plunge lasting three years, houses have finally become cheap enough to lure buyers. That, in turn, is stabilizing prices, generating hope that the real estate market is beginning to recover.

From Peter Hong at the LA Times: Home prices may be stabilizing, market tracker shows

Another sign emerged that the nation's struggling housing market may be nearing its bottom as a widely followed national home-price index posted its first gain in nearly three years.

The S&P/Case-Shiller index of home prices in 20 metropolitan areas was up slightly in May over its April level for the first time since 2006.

Now this is the same news as yesterday, but I just want to point out the widespread reporting of a possible bottom in housing prices. And because of the way Case-Shiller is constructed (with a three month moving average) there is a good chance prices will look positive for the June report too (to be released in August).

These are influential writers.

Streitfeld has been writing about the housing bubble and collapse for years. The Atlantic named him "The Bard of the Bubble" in 2006.

Hong has only been covering housing for a couple of years, but he has also done a very good job.

Of course I think house prices will continue to decline in the Fall, and that the May report was distorted by seasonal factors.