The data "show a broad-based recovery in housing activity and prices across the country, " said Michael Gapen, an economist at Barclays Capital.

WSJ: US home prices accelerate in November

As the final estimate of the costs from hurricane Sandy will not be known for some time, a reasonable starting point is to understand how damages are calculated, Barclays Capital economists led by Michael Gapen wrote in a research note on Friday.

FORBES: One Week Later, The Cost Of Superstorm Sandy