Good news for existing home owners.  Existing home sales are up for the month of November.  Enough, in fact, that sales are nearing that of the final months of when the Federal stimulus package was in effect one year ago.

Pending home sales were up 5.9 percent in November from 2010 and up 7.3 percent from October, capping a fortnight of positive indicators for the housing market.

The National Association of Realtors' Pending Home Sales Index hit 100.1, its highest level since April 2010's tax credit-fueled buying rush. The index reflects

signed contracts, but not closings.