Home prices rose in April for the first time in seven months. Home prices increased 0.8 percent in April compared with March and 3.8 percent above a year ago level, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index of 20 major housing markets.

Of the 20 cities included in the index, 18 showed price improvements in April from March. Washington, San Francisco and Dallas each posted gains of 2 percent or more. Eleven cities reversed declines from the month before.

Only Miami and New York showed price drops as New York hit a new low for the index. Miami fell 0.8 percent for the month, which pushed the city into negative territory for the year at -0.5%. New York dropped 0.3 percent.

Nationally, prices have risen but they remain 30 percent below their July 2006 peak.

The overall price gains highlight the impact of the federal tax credits for homebuyers as federal government was heavily subsidizing home sales through an $8,000 homebuyer's tax credit. That credit is about to expire.

"Other housing data confirm the large impact, and likely near-future pullback, of the federal program," said David Blitzer, a spokesman for Standard and Poor's.

Buyers rushed to purchase before the tax credits expired at the end of April. The numbers are likely to drop in the next report.