Via market transactions (or lack thereof), housing prices fell 19% in January relative to January of 2008, making housing more affordable for the average US resident. But of course, this is a bad thing as reported by the AP.
Home prices sank by the sharpest annual rate on record were lower in January 2009 relative to January 2008, and the pace continues to accelerate, but there were a handful battered metro areas where price declines slowed, according to data released Tuesday. While this may not be good news for home sellers, housing prices have become more affordable for the average American.
FTFY (fixed that for you). My additions are in bold. All the rest of the text, including the lined-out text, is from the story.