The document summarizes housing market trends in early 2012. It shows that existing home sales remain strong with over 12,500 homes sold daily. Pending home sales and monthly inventory levels are improving. Mortgage rates are near all-time lows and home prices are expected to continue declining in 2012 as the large shadow inventory of distressed homes works through the system, pushing up short sales and foreclosures. However, projections call for a gradual, steady recovery in the housing market supported by job growth and low interest rates.