Home prices fall back slightly in November, soar from a year earlier Home prices in the nation's largest cities declined slightly in November from October, as the market showed signs of cooling during the slower fall season, according to a closely watched index. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of 20 large U.S. metropolitan areas, released Tuesday, fell 0.1% from October--the first decline since November 2012. But prices soared compared to a year earlier, rising 13.7%. David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices, called November a "good month for home prices," noting strong year-over-year price appreciation. QUIZ: Test your knowledge of mortgages Western metros continue to lead the recovery. Prices in Las Vegas rose 27.3% compared to November 2012; San Francisco 23.2%; and Los Angeles 21.6%. Nine cities posted price gains from October. Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Miami and Tampa, Fla., have seen 12 or more straight monthly increases. But after a rapid run-up in prices in 2013, Blitzer said the pace of those increases likely will slow this year.