NEW YORK, Dec. 31 (Xinhua) -- A national gauge of U.S. home prices rose 3.6 percent in October from a year earlier, according to data from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller, smaller than the 3.9 percent annual increase in September, as buyers gained more bargaining power.

"The data measures a three-month period through October, when 30-year mortgage rates fell to a two-year low and then climbed back up," reported Bloomberg News about the data.

"Despite the rise in borrowing costs, an increase in the supply of listings gave buyers more options and greater negotiating power in deals," according to the report.

"Still, the national index hit a record high for the 17th consecutive month," noted the report.

A measure of prices in 20 cities rose 4.2 percent in October from a year earlier, compared with a 4.6 percent annual increase in the previous month, the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller data showed. New York remained in the top spot for annual gains, with a 7.3 percent jump. Enditem

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