Shanghai (AFP) March 1, 2013Home prices in China rose year-on-year in February for the third consecutive month, an independent survey showed Friday, citing strong credit growth as a key factor. New home costs in 100 major cities jumped 2.48 percent from a year earlier to an average 9,893 yuan ($1,589) per square metre last month, the China Index Academy said, following rises of 1.2 percent in January and 0.03 percent i Reported by Energy Daily 13 hours ago.