Existing-home sales bounced back strongly in September with first-time buyers driving much of the activity, marking five gains in the past six months. The national average existing-home price for all housing types was $174,900 in September, which is 8.5 percent lower than September 2008. Distressed properties continue to distort downwards the average price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes in the same area.

The American time use survey focuses on the average amount of time per day that American individuals worked, did household activities, cared for household children, participated in educational activities, and engaged in leisure and sports activities. It also includes measures of the average time per day spent providing childcare.