The March S&P/Case-Shiller (SPCS) data published today showed home prices continuing to appreciate at around 5 percent annually for both the 10- and 20- City Indices, and roughly 4 percent for the national index. March marks the seventh consecutive month in which the national home price index has appreciated at a less than 5 percent annual appreciation rate (seasonally adjusted).

In March, the 10-City Index appreciated at an annual rate of 4.7 percent, compared to 5.0 percent for the 20-City Index (SA). The non-seasonally adjusted (NSA) 10-City Index was up 0.8 percent month-over-month, while the 20-City index rose 0.9 percent (NSA) from February to March. We expect the change from March to April to show increases of more than 1 percent (NSA) for both the 10- and 20- City Indices.

All forecasts are shown in the table below. These forecasts are based on the March SPCS data release and the April 2015 Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), published May 21. Officially, the SPCS Composite Home Price Indices for March will not be released until Tuesday, June 30.

Annual appreciation in the Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) peaked in April 2014 and has declined since then. In April, the U.S. ZHVI rose 3 percent year-over-year, one percentage point lower than the annual change in rents (4 percent).  The April Zillow Home Value Forecast calls for a 2 percent rise in home values through April 2016. Further details on our forecast of home values can be found here.

More on the differences between SPCS and ZHVI can be found here. Our commentary on recent revisions to the national S&P/Case-Shiller Index can be found here. To see how this month’s results compared to our forecast from last month, please click here.