| New Orleans, Louisiana, which had ranked as | | | | of slowing down in the last quarter of 2006, |
| the Top appreciating housing market in the | | | | but pro-active growth initiatives implemented |
| Housing Predictor Top 25 Markets Forecast for | | | | by state and local governments along with low |
| 2007 has fallen to fourth position, despite | | | | interest rate construction loans attractive |
| healthy projected appreciation for the year. | | | | to new businesses and tax incentives have |
| | | | bolstered the residential housing market. |
| The housing market in Albuquerque, New Mexico | | | | |
| is appreciating at a higher level causing the | | | | Albuquerque is now forecast to appreciate |
| change in the Top 25 Markets forecast. Eight | | | | 9.1% on average in the Housing Predictor |
| local Texas markets, including Houston, which | | | | forecast in 2007 to lead the nation in home |
| was in second position are on the list. | | | | appreciation. New housing starts, however, |
| | | | have slowed in Albuquerque like most of the |
| The home market, however, is still | | | | country, providing a stronger resale market |
| experiencing a robust market in New Orleans | | | | than the area had experienced over even the |
| with a healthy pace of sales in its recovery | | | | past three years. |
| from the destruction caused by Hurricane | | | | |
| Katrina, but the Albuquerque market is moving | | | | The majority, but not all, of the housing |
| at a much faster rate of appreciation. | | | | markets in the Top 25 Markets Forecast are |
| | | | located in the southern half of the nation, |
| Most of the local housing markets in Texas | | | | which is experiencing unprecedented growth |
| are appreciating at or near record levels, | | | | due to the migration of people moving from |
| performing at a pace equal to booming markets | | | | colder northern climates. |
| throughout much of the nation when interest | | | | |
| rates were lower and a national real estate | | | | Bolstered by booming local economies, many |
| buying frenzy occurred until mortgage rates | | | | Sunbelt states are experiencing widespread |
| rose slowing the real estate market place in | | | | growth. The U.S. Census Bureau forecasts that |
| many states. | | | | by 2030 only three states, California, Texas |
| | | | and Florida will house nearly half of the |
| Housing Predictor forecasts housing markets | | | | U.S. population. |
| in more than 250 local markets in all 50 U.S. | | | | |
| states, and regularly updates its forecasts | | | | Texas is projected to gain more new residents |
| as local market conditions demand. | | | | over the next decade than any other single |
| | | | state in the nation. |
| The Albuquerque market had been showing signs | | | | |