What can Castro expect as housing secretary nominee?

In the United States, widespread foolishness in the housing market plunged banks, economies and millions of American families into the worst of times.

Some cities that never had a bubble never watched it burst, while go-go markets like Las Vegas and Phoenix experienced a massive crisis and catastrophic loss. 

Every week, statistics pour out of banks and governments showing a housing market that limps in some places, runs ahead in others. Today's report was no different. 

With cities on the mend, there'll now be a change at the top of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Secretary Shaun Donovan, who came to Washington with President Barack Obama's administration in 2009, is set to head to the Office of Management and Budget. Today the Democratic mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro, was invited to the White House to accept his nomination as the next secretary.

What is the significance of the nomination's timing?

With most urban areas run by Democratic mayors, is the nomination of Castro as HUD secretary a way to show favor and recognition to a key party constituency? 

What does today's housing report mean? Is the economy back on its feet after the Great Recession?

We consulted a panel of experts for the Inside Story.

This panel was assembled for the broadcast of “Inside Story.” 

For future hard-hitting conversations, find Al Jazeera America on your TV.