In the latest report by a government agency that tracks home values, Utah had a statewide increase in home values of 1.9 percent for the year that ended June 30.

When Utah first topped the nation in appreciation, in the fourth quarter 2006, its one-year appreciation topped 15 percent, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. In the year that ended June 30, 2007, the state's appreciation had climbed even higher, to 17 percent.

But by last summer, years of home-price increases had put homeownership out of reach of a large number of Utahns. Tighter lending standards haven't helped, making it even more difficult for many families to qualify for a loan. Combined with some other factors, such as rising interest rates, the state's real estate market began to fall into a particularly dogged downturn.

Sales of existing and new homes have since plummeted, compared with last year. Home prices overall, though, have remained "sticky," meaning that many buyers have let their homes languish on the market - or have taken them off - to avoid cutting prices to a level that would generate a sale. Others are leasing their properties in hopes the market will turn around at some point.

But enough owners in just the past couple of months have come to a position where they have to sell, which has led to selling-price declines in a number of areas, especially with homes priced above $400,000.

In March, after five consecutive quarters in the top spot, Utah slipped to No. 2 with a 5.6 percent increase in home values over one year.

In the latest report, with the statewide increase at 1.9 percent, St. George is the worst-performing Utah metro area, ranking No. 233 among 300 metro areas nationally, with a 5.1 percent decline in home values.

The state's other metro areas posted gains but are ranked well below where they were in recent years. Logan ranked the highest, at No. 34, with a 3.8 percent increase in the year ended in June..

Ogden-Clearfield is ranked No. 40, with a 3.3 percent increase. Salt Lake is No. 88, with a 2 percent increase, followed by Provo-Orem, No. 116 with a 1.2 percent increase.