Baton Rouge home prices rise in October

Single-family home prices in Baton Rouge, including distressed sales, were up 2.7% in October compared to the same month last year, according to a new report released this morning by CoreLogic. Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year home prices were up 4.4% in Baton Rouge in October. Louisiana as a whole posted even greater increases in October, with home prices up 6.5% compared to a year ago, including distressed sales. Excluding distressed sales, the state saw prices rise 7.9%. Louisiana was among 45 states posting an increase in home prices in October, according to the report. Arizona had the largest average home-price increase in the country on the month: 21.3% including distressed sales, and 16.6% excluding them. Illinois saw the greatest home depreciation in October: down 2.7% including distressed sales. Excluding sales of distressed homes, just three states saw price declines: Delaware (-2.1%), Alabama (-1.5%) and New Jersey (-0.2%). Across the United States home prices rose 6.3% in October compared with a year ago—the largest yearly gain since July 2006. Excluding distressed sales, prices rose 5.8% across the country in October. The jump adds to signs of a comeback in the once-battered housing market. The Associated Press has more details on the CoreLogic report from the national perspective here.