Are national home prices up for the 8th consecutive year?

I received several e-mails last night from clients who were a bit confused by the story WHSV ran yesterday about the housing market.  Here are some clarifications....

"National home prices are up for the eighth consecutive year."

Actually, prices are up for the eighth consecutive month, as measured on a year-over-year basis.  An improvement for eight straight months is quite different than eight straight years.  (source)

"The homes that are selling the quickest are actually homes priced between $200,000 and $250,000."

Average days on market is actually lowest for homes priced under $200K, not for those priced between $200K and $300K.  (source - page 26)

"Bridgewater, Dayton, southwest Rockingham county area. That's where we've had the most significant price increase. Prices have increased 12 percent in that area this year."

Per my calculations, it's actually a 3.6% increase, not a 12% increase.  The Median Sales Price for Single Family Homes in SouthWest Rockingham County in 2011 was $205,000.  The Median Sales Price for Single Family Homes in SouthWest Rockingham County in 2012 (YTD) is $212,500.

I agree with the overall sentiment of the news story --- the local housing market is improving --- but there were a few items in the story that ended up being misleading (presumably, unintentionally).
  
Here's to improvements in national (and local) housing prices for the next eight years!  :)