Source: CNNMoney.com

Americans purchased homes at a surprising clip in April, but don't let that fool you into thinking the housing market is back.

Going, going, gone: An increasing number of homes are now being sold at auction -- rather than through real estate brokers -- in an effort to dump properties more quickly and efficiently.

Existing home sales soared in April as home buyers scrambled to claim the tax credit that expired at the end of the month, according to a real estate industry report released Monday.

Here are the 5 metro areas where the average American family can easily afford to purchase a median-priced home -- and the 5 where they can't.

It's prime time for house hunters. Nearly anyone with a decent job and a good credit score can afford to buy in their home towns.

A dubious distinction was reached during the first three months of 2010: More than 10% of all borrowers are now behind on their mortgage payments.

New home construction skyrocketed 40.9% in April compared to last year, according to a government report released Tuesday.

Bipolar is what comes to mind when diagnosing the post-homebuyer tax credit market. There are two separate forces pulling it in opposite directions, and experts aren't yet sure which path the market will take.