In recent figures reported by the Case-Shiller and Standard & Poor's, while real estate prices are rising steadily, customer confidence is falling. As per the figures reported, house rates rose for the fourth consecutive month, but it did not help raise the spirit of customers who continue to feel unhappy. Despite the economy showing signs of improving, unemployment is at an all time high and is negatively affecting households across the country.

According to the S&P figures, home prices in 20 major American metropolitans rose 1.2%in August as compared to July, thanks to lower mortgages and the Federal Government's $8,000 tax credit scheme.

Despite the development, as per the Conference Board's Tuesday revelation, consumer confidence, already at an all-time low, fell further to 47.7 in October. This is the second major plunge for the second consecutive month. Current figures show that customer confidence is the lowest since February 1983. High unemployment seems to be the reason behind this less-than-welcome development.

"Home prices in certain areas, such as Minneapolis and San Francisco, have risen by double-digits over a mere four months, and if viewed on an annualized basis, they look like they are in "bubble territory'", said Robert Shiller, Yale's Economics Professor and o-developer of Standard and Poor's S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. "It is a time of great uncertainty", he shared.