Since late-2011, home values have climbed in many U.S. markets. The government's Home Price index puts the increase at +3.7% an annual basis and the National Association of REALTORS® shows home sale prices up 11% since last year. The price at which a home sells is determined by the economic force of supply-and-demand but location and amenities matter, too; establishing a baseline from which supply-and-demand can work.  Using data compiled by real estate market data firm Altos Research, Forbes Magazine recently presented America's 10 most expensive ZIP codes for 2012. California … [Read more...]