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The most recent data release from Standard & Poor's (S&P) left little doubt that home pricing around the country continues to suffer. All three of the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices indicated losses and new index lows around the U.S., and December's findings represented the most diminutive levels on record since the housing crisis began in 2006. However, though the national composite fell by 3.8 percent during the fourth quarter of 2011, there were exceptions to the pervasive trend. At least one hard-hit city, Detroit, posted a positive annual return to end the year, and other beleaguered regions, including Miami and Phoenix, saw month-over-month upticks during December of last year. Commenting on the indices, David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee for S&P, expressed his disappointment, noting, "In terms of prices, the housing market ended 2011 on a very disappointing note . . . . While we thought we saw some signs of stabilization in the middle of 2011, it appears that neither the economy nor consumer confidence was strong enough to move the market in a positive direction as the year ended." Blitzer continued his statements and predicted a rocky year, saying, "The pick-up in the economy has simply not been strong enough to keep home prices stabilized. If anything, it looks like we might have re-entered a period of decline as we begin 2012." Evaluating the broad data from the S&P/Case-Shiller Indices, MReport has calculated the top and bottom five markets from the survey based on month-over-month changes reported for December 2011. Find out which metro regions beat the national trends to end the year. DETROIT, MICHIGAN STATISTICS: Ranking by Month-Over- Month Change: 20 Month-Over-Month Change [SA]: -3.5 Month-Over-Month Change [NSA]: -3.8 Index Level: 68.39 Year-Over-Year Change: +0.5 FAST FACTS: According to index numbers, Detroit is the only area to record a year- over-year improvement during December 2011. Detroit, along with three other areas, saw its index levels for home pricing drop below levels last seen in January 2000. HOT PROPERTY: Historic property in Detroit's Oakman Boulevard area; 2481 Oakman Blvd. Built in 1921, the traditional home features four bedrooms and three bathrooms in 2,898 square feet. Priced at $75,000, this house has been on the market for less than 30 days. ATLANTA, GEORGIA STATISTICS: Index Level: 87.3 Month-Over-Month Change [SA]: -1.3 Month-Over-Month Change [NSA]: -1.8 Ranking by Month-Over- Month Change: 19 Year-Over-Year Change: -12.8 FAST FACTS: Like Detroit, Atlanta's index levels for home pricing are now below levels last seen in January 2000. Las Vegas and Cleveland also experienced declines during December 2011 that brought index levels to those seen more than a decade ago. HOT PROPERTY: Mediterranean-style prop- erty in Atlanta's Garden Hill community; 359 Pine Tree Drive N.E. The recently renovated 1940s estate features a 5,312-square- foot home on just over an acre of land. Priced at $1.189 million, the home has been on the market for more than six months. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS STATISTICS: Ranking by Month-Over- Month Change: 18 Month-Over-Month Change [SA]: -1.1 Month-Over-Month Change [NSA]: -2 Index Level: 110.23 Year-Over-Year Change: -6.5 FAST FACTS: Between October and November of last year, Chicago's index level declined by 2.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. The area's index levels for condominiums stood at 102.64 to end 2011. HOT PROPERTY: Traditional masonry and limestone walk-up in Chicago's desirable Lincoln Park area; 2642 N. Wayne. The tony townhome features six bedrooms and five bathrooms in 5,400 square feet. Priced at $1.899 million, the property has been on the market for just short of six months. NEW YORK, NEW YORK STATISTICS: Ranking by Month-Over- Month Change: 17 Month-Over-Month Change [SA]: -0.7 Month-Over-Month Change [NSA]: -1.2 Index Level: 163.11 Year-Over-Year Change: -2.9 FAST FACTS: Between October and November of last year, New York's index level declined by 0.8 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. The area's index levels for condominiums stood at 195.22 to end 2011. HOT PROPERTY: Turn-of-the-century walkup in Manhattan's West Village; 64 Perry St. The historic property, built in 1866, features five bedrooms and three bathrooms in 4,104 square feet. Priced at $9.65 million, the townhouse has been on the market for less than 30 days. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS STATISTICS: Ranking by Month-Over- Month Change: 17 Month-Over-Month Change [SA]: -0.7 Month-Over-Month Change [NSA]: -1.2 Index Level: 148.54 Year-Over-Year Change: -2.6 FAST FACTS: Between October and November of last year, Boston's index level declined by 0.6 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis. The area's index levels for condominiums stood at 154.61 to end 2011. HOT PROPERTY: Hilltop residence in the historic section of Boston's Beacon Hill; 75 Hancock St. The classic home, built in 1890, features five levels in 4,800 square feet, and the house is eligible for conversion to condominiums. Priced at $2.3 million, the property has been on the market for just less than 45 days. generated and published under agreements between S&P Indices and Fiserv, Inc. The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices are produced by Fiserv, Inc. In addition to the S&P/Case- Shiller Home Price Indices, Fiserv also offers home price index sets covering thousands of ZIP codes, counties, metro areas, and state markets. The indices, published by S&P Indices, represent just a small subset of the broader data available through Fiserv. THE M REPORT | 13