Sales of previously owned homes rose across the country during the third quarter, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Association of Realtors.

Nationally, sales were up 5.9 percent from the third quarter of last year. Previously owned homes changed hands at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.3 million, according to the report. NAR attributed much of the jump to continued affordable prices and a federal income tax credit. Congress and President Obama legislated an extension and expansion of the tax credit program last week.

Home sales rose in 32 states and Washington, D.C., from the third quarter of 2008 to the third quarter this year. Sales jumped in 45 states, and in Washington, D.C., from the second to the third quarter.

There was no lack of media enthusiasm for the news on Tuesday as local media outlets across the country finally picked up on the good news...

1. Home sales up nearly 79.6% in October in Orlando

2. Pittsburgh home prices rise in third quarter

3. US Home Sales Rise to Two-Year High

4. Home prices seen stabilizing in North Jersey

5. NJ homes sales jump 11 percent in quarter

6. DC Area housing sales jump

7. Las Vegas Home Sales On The Rise

8. Florida home sales up for fifth straight quarter

9. Houston-area home prices rise in third quarter

10. Ohio home sales rose during the third quarter

11. Nashville home sales climb first time in three years

12. Lehigh Valley home sales rise 30 percent in October

13. Illinois Third Quarter Home Sales a Bright Spot in 2009

14. Home Prices Are Suddenly Hot in Some Areas...

Back in June we pointed out a dozen housing markets that were showing pricing improvement. August revealed a dozen more.

While some year-over-year comparisons continue to show price erosion, recent jumps in the national S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index further clarifies that the price drops of the past few years are now over. The 20-city index is now consistently rising quarter-over-quarter.

Three independent sources, the National Association of Realtors, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and Case Shiller are now all showing housing price improvement.

Repeatedly we've said that the strength of this recovery will be measured in part by how well the housing industry fares. Tuesday was further strong evidence that this recovery continues unabated.