Housing Market Continues Upward Trend

Washington, DC, Dec. 6, 2013 -- Markets in 54 out of the approximately 350 metro areas nationwide returned to or exceeded their last normal levels of economic and housing activity, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index.

The index's nationwide score of .86 indicates that, based on current permits, prices and employment data, the nationwide market is running at 86 percent of normal economic and housing activity.

The LMI figures for November showed that 55 housing markets were operating at or above their last normal levels and the nationwide market was operating at 85 percent of normal growth.

"This index shows that most housing markets across the nation are continuing a slow, gradual climb back to normal levels," said NAHB chairman Rick Judson.
"Policymakers must guard against actions that could impede or even reverse the modest gains of the past year."

Noting that smaller metros accounted for most of the 54 markets on the current index that are at or above normal levels, NAHB chief economist David Crowe said that "smaller markets are leading the way, particularly where energy is the primary economic driver. Nearly half of the markets in the top 54 are in the energy states of Texas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Wyoming and Montana."