Warning for Rising Home Prices

Home prices are crossing the line again. After an epic housing crash, where values plummeted nationally by almost 35 percent, the nation is seeing new highs again. The median price of an existing home sold in May hit a record $239,700, according to the National Association of Realtors, which began tracking prices in 1968.

The higher median price, where half the homes sold lower and half sold higher, in part reflects the fact that there is more sales activity on the higher end of the market. Other price indexes that measure repeat sales of similar homes show that, nationally at least, prices are still about 10 percent below the peak of 2006.

The mortgage market today is still considered tight by historical standards. Low interest rates have helped some buyers, but only those who have good enough credit to be in the market at all. Some argue that low rates have contributed to higher home prices, as buyers can qualify for more house. That rate cushion will not be forever.