NAHB Says More Housing Markets Improving

Washington, DC, Oct. 7, 2011 -- The second edition of the National Association of Home Builders Improving Markets Index shows 23 individual housing markets now qualifying as "improving" under the new gauge's parameters.

This is nearly double the 12 housing markets that made the list last month.

The index reveals metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in housing permits, employment and housing prices. The following metros were listed in October:

Alexandria, LA
Amarillo, TX
Anchorage, AK
Bismarck, ND
Casper, WY
Fairbanks, AK
Fayetteville, NC
Houma, LA
Iowa City, IA
Jonesboro, AR
Kankakee, IL
McAllen, TX
Midland, TX
New Orleans, LA
Odessa, TX
Pine Bluff, AR
Pittsburgh, PA
Sherman, TX
Sumter, SC
Waco, TX
Waterloo, IA
Wichita Falls, TX
Winston-Salem, NC