Home prices in Iowa were up, but overall sales were down in November, compared to a year ago. That’s according to a new report from the Iowa Association of Realtors. The incoming I-A-R president for 2014, Kathy Miller of Sioux City, says the average sale price of an Iowa home increased four-percent to $153,683 last month. The median sale price was also up four-percent, growing from $125,000 in November 2012 to $130,000 this November. The total home sales dipped only slightly, with 2,749 homes sold this November compared to 2,795 in 2012.

In addition to the rising prices, sellers are also benefiting from a drop in the “days on the market” figure — or DOM.  In November 2012, the DOM was 101, while this year the report shows just 81 DOM, a decrease of nearly 20-percent. Miller says it’s still an excellent time for buying a home, as interest rates are averaging around 4.25-percent.

“What I’m seeing…is lower days on the market, low interest rates, and positive growth in prices. It’s a strong housing market for both buyers and sellers,” Miller says. In terms of year-to-date, home sales in Iowa have increased 7.7 percent this year over last.

(Radio Iowa)

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa says it will launch a new design for its home web page for the first time since 2008. The university says the changes aim to improve a site that has been visited 11 times by 2.4 million people this year. University official Lin Larson offered a preview of the changes in a university article posted online Tuesday. He says the redesign “isn’t just a facelift, but a fresh start.”

He says the new site should make menus simpler to navigate and work better on mobile devices. Larson says the designers chose to make information for new users one central focus of the page, www.uiowa.edu.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska nuclear plant that has been idle for nearly three years because of flooding and a series of safety concerns has been cleared to restart. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission said Tuesday that the Omaha Public Power District’s Fort Calhoun nuclear plant is safe to restart. Fort Calhoun, which sits across from Iowa on the Missouri River about 20 miles north of Omaha, has been offline since April 2011.

Fort Calhoun initially shut down for routine maintenance, but significant flooding in 2011, a small fire and a number of violations forced it to remain closed.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press…

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lottery officials say winning ticket tickets have been sold in California and Georgia for the $636 million Mega Millions jackpot, the second-largest lottery prize in U.S. history. The winning numbers were: 8, 14, 17, 20, 39; Mega Ball: 7. California Lottery spokesman Alex Traverso said Tuesday night that one ticket was sold at Jennifer’s Gift Shop in San Jose, Calif. Otto didn’t know yet where in Georgia the ticket had been sold. The jackpot resets to $15 million for the next drawing, which is on Friday night.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tom Latham has confirmed he won’t seek re-election in 2014. The 10-term Iowa Republican will have spent 20 years in Congress and is Iowa’s senior U.S. House member. Latham is a member of the Appropriations Committee and chairman of the transportation subcommittee. He’s known for his friendship with House Speaker John Boehner and his love of golf.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A long-idled Nebraska nuclear plant has been given clearance to restart. The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission says the Omaha Public Power District’s Fort Calhoun nuclear plant is safe. Fort Calhoun has been offline since April 2011. Fort Calhoun initially shut down for routine maintenance, but significant flooding in 2011, a small fire and a number of violations forced it to remain closed.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — A livestock specialist at Iowa State University says falling corn prices are generating some optimism that cattle farmers can again make money. Historically high corn prices during the last several years drove up the cost of feed and many producers cut herd numbers as drought intensified. But Lee Schulz, a livestock specialist and assistant professor of economics, says producers who have been in survival mode are beginning to talk about expansion.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — The University of Iowa is launching a new design for its home Web page for the first time since 2008. University official Lin Larson offered a preview of the changes in a university article posted online Tuesday. He says the redesign “isn’t just a facelift, but a fresh start.” He says the new site should make menus simpler to navigate and work better on mobile devices.