Price fell in 80% of all metropolitan area, NAR said Tuesday. But sales are still climbing, single family which make up the bulk of the u.s housing market, fell 11.2 percent. We still need a steady stream of financially qualified buyers to further reduce inventory and get us to a self-sustaining market. The federal tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time homebuyers helped boost sales in the third quarter. U.S. home sales grew in 45 states from the second quarter, with 28 states posting double-digit gains.