Home prices were flat for the second month in a row, according to a closely watched national index, indicating that the nascent housing recovery may be losing some steam. "On a month-to-month bases, we are certainly slowing down in terms of the numbers we had seen previously," said Michael D. Larson, a housing analyst with Weiss Research. But "the story remains the same: Housing is not in some huge epic rebound, but nor is it falling apart anymore -- stabilization is clear." Home prices in 20 metropolitan areas rose a seasonally adjusted 0.4% in October, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index. All 20 cities continued to show improvements on a year-over-year basis. "All in all, this report should be described as flat," David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at Standard & Poor's, said in a statement. "Coming after a series of solid gains, these data are likely to spark worries that home prices are about to take a second dip." Blitzer noted that government policy remains consistent and that sales of previously owned homes have remained strong in recent months. Nevertheless, a potential wave of foreclosures and the expiration of a slew of government programs meant to bolster the housing market next year could weigh on the market next year.. California cities posted solid gains in October with Los Angeles up 0.7%, San Diego up 1.1% and San Francisco up 1.7%. It was the fifth consecutive month of gains for Los Angeles, the sixth for San Diego and the seventh for San Francisco. Another Sun Belt city, Phoenix, was also up 1%, its fifth month of home price improvement. Seattle saw a 0.4% increase. Meanwhile, Las Vegas remained the one market that has shown no sign of improvement so far this year, according to the data. Prices there have declined for 38 consecutive months, with a peak-to-trough decline of 55.4%. In the East, New York was down 0.2%. Boston was down 0.2%. Washington was up 0.2%. In the South, Miami saw a drop of 0.5% and Dallas saw no change. Minneapolis was up 0.2%, and Chicago was down 1%. Detroit showed strength in October up 1.2%.