Improving Housing Markets Continue To Rise

Washington, DC, Dec. 7, 2011 -- The number of improving housing markets continued to expand for a fourth consecutive month in December, rising from 30 to 41 on the latest National Association of Home Builders /First American Improving Markets Index.

The December list featured 20 new additions, including several major markets such as: Washington, D.C., San Jose, Calif. and Toledo, Ohio. Meanwhile, nine smaller markets dropped off the list, primarily due to softer house prices.

The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months.

New entrants to the list in December include:

Ann Arbor, Mich.
Athens, Ga.
Boulder, Colo.
Burlington, Vt.
Canton, Ohio
Charleston, W.Va.
Danville, Va.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
Grand Forks, N.D.
Jackson, Miss.
Kingsport, Tenn.
Laredo, Texas
Lincoln, Neb.
Muncie, Ind.
Muskegon, Mich.
San Jose, Calif.
Scranton, Pa.
Toledo, Ohio
Washington, D.C.
Winchester, Va.