First American Financial Corporation has released its September 2025 Home Price Index $(HPI)$ report, highlighting significant regional differences in home price trends across the United States. Nationally, annual house price appreciation has slowed to its lowest pace since 2012, with prices up just 1.1% year over year and a slight 0.1% decrease from August to September. However, the New York-Jersey City-White Plains metro area saw a much stronger performance, with home prices rising 5.1% over the past year and a 0.2% increase month over month. The report notes that while the Northeast and Midwest continue to experience steady growth, many Sun Belt markets-including Oakland, Tampa, Phoenix, Riverside, and Denver-have seen year-over-year price declines. First American's analysis suggests that declining national price momentum is being offset by localized resilience, particularly in the Northeast, as buyers benefit from increased inventory and greater negotiating power.