Dive summary:

• The value of houses climbed 5.9% last year nationally, figures from real estate data firm Zillow show, and that is nearly twice the historic norm.
• The company says, however, that another year like 2012 – which had the biggest value jump since 2006 – is unlikely this year.
• The normal annual appreciation is 3%, Zillow reported while predicting 2013 will wind up at something like 3.3%.

From the article:

"We expected 2012 to be a good year for housing, and it delivered in spades," said Zillow Chief Economist Dr. Stan Humphries. ...