Retail sales are going up, but the retailer is forced to take losses to clear inventory. Home prices vary from one location to another. Some places have inched up, but many places it has been stagnate or dropping a bit. Problem for regular sellers is banks are holding up to a 4 to 5 year supply of foreclosed property. They have not released it onto the market yet, hoping for better prices. If the economy does not improve, the banks can not hold onto these foreclosed properties forever and will be forced to sell them in waves. Best indicator for possible recovery is Dec 2009, the Xmas sales numbers. Right now data is too premature and still indicate recession or depression trends.
Still, a change from the recent steady declines.