U.S. home prices, including distressed sales, declined 1.5 percent in August over a year ago, according to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Index. It marks the first price decline measured by the index this year. Excluding distressed sales, year-over-year prices declined 0.4 percent in August.

From the peak of the housing market in April 2006 to August 2010, the index, including distressed sales, fell 28.2 percent. Excluding distressed properties, the index fell 19.6 percent during the same time period.

States with the highest price appreciation in August, including distressed properties, were Maine (5.8 percent), New York (3.7 percent), Connecticut (2.5 percent), Virginia (2.4 percent) and South Dakota (2.1 percent).

States with the highest price depreciation in August, including distressed properties, were Idaho (14.0 percent), Alabama (10.4 percent), Utah (7.3 percent), Oregon (6.3 percent) and Florida (6.2 percent). Thu, Oct 28, 2010