Home prices up in more metro areas The report suggests the housing market's recovery is broadening as a stronger economy and low interest rates fuel demand, pushing up prices while the supply of homes for sale remains tight. Nick Earl, senior vice president for mobile and social game development at Electronic Arts, on the shift by consumers to downloading games that are available for a fraction of the price of big-budget titles sold at retail stores. [...] consumer confidence is improving, boosting sales for retailers such as Gap and Target even though higher payroll taxes have trimmed paychecks.