LIST OF IMPROVING HOUSING MARKETS RISES IN JUNE

The number of U.S. housing markets on the mend rose by five to a total of 263 in June, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index. The list includes entrants from 49 states and the District of Columbia. 

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. Nearly 30 (29) new markets were added to the list while 24 others were dropped from it this month. New entrants included such many geographically diverse metros; however, Salinas was the only market area added from California.

“This is the fifth consecutive month in which the IMI has designated more than 70 percent of U.S. metros as improving,” observed NAHB Chairman Rick Judson. “While that’s a good sign that the housing recovery is on solid footing, we know that various challenges are slowing its progress – including continuing issues with credit availability for builders and buyers, as well as appraisals that aren’t keeping up with the rising cost of construction.”