Homeownership rates rise in U.S.
From Times wire reports
The U.S. homeownership rate hit a record-high 68.6% in the fourth quarter, up from the previous high of 68.4% in the third quarter, Freddie Mac reported.
Prices rose 17.8% in the last three months of 2003, the fastest pace since 1977, when it was 21%. For all of 2003, U.S. home prices were up 8.4%, amid low mortgage rates and confidence in an improving U.S. economy.
The largest annual gains were in the West Coast states, where prices rose 13.1%.
