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Home prices in the Raleigh-Cary area increased by 1.37 percent in April compared to April 2009, even as home prices statewide fell by 0.7 percent, according to CoreLogic’s Home Price Index.

Nationally, home prices, including distressed properties, increased by 2.6 percent in April, the company (OTC BB: CLGX) reports.

It was the second straight month that home prices in the Raleigh-Cary area rose. Home prices in the Raleigh-Cary area increased by 1.31 percent in March compared to March 2009.

“The monthly increase in the HPI shows the lingering effects of the home buyer tax credit,” said Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “We expect that we will see home prices remain strong through early summer, but in the second half of the year we expect price growth to soften and possibly decline moderately.”

Hawaii experienced the largest year over year price increase, 10.6 percent. Also in the top five were California (8.4 percent), North Dakota (6 percent), New York (3.7 percent) and Virginia (3.6 percent).

Idaho led the nation in sales prices declines, with prices falling by 7.2 percent. Rounding out the bottom five were Illinois (-5.8 percent), Nevada (-4.6 percent), Maryland (-4.3 percent) and Washington (-3.7 percent).

Home sales statistics released last week for the Triangle showed increased sales and prices in May.

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