Housing Prices Rise In Response to Reduced Supply, Higher Employment

``No, this is not an April Fools joke. In a surprising turn of events, listing prices rose sharply in March. It could be a case of hope springs eternal, but may also be a result of less foreclosure inventory on the market and a strong gain in total employment in March. The reduction in supply is largely due to the legal foreclosure problems the banks are having now for screwing the mortgage pooch in the first place, but the shadow inventory is still out there. The clock is ticking. ''