Driven by exceptionally strong local economies the Top 10 Housing Predictor buyers markets at the halfway point of 2007 are expanding across the nation from the southern half of the country into the Greater Pacific North-West. Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon have been named to the Top 10.
The Top 10 buyers markets have the highest probability of reaching their forecast appreciation of more than 250 local housing markets forecast by Housing Predictor, which forecasts the best buyers markets annually and updates the forecast at the mid-way point of each year.
Five Texas markets remain on the list, including McAllen at second place, Dallas and Houston. Texas has the strongest real estate market statewide in the nation, despite an increase in foreclosures in some areas.
Seattle's exceptionally strong local economy pushed by growth in high-tech and the booming aerospace industry has pushed the housing market to new heights. Sales have begun to slow, but through at least the end of 2007 the market should remain strong, and perhaps even last into 2008.
Portland, Oregon has also been added to the top 10 buyers markets, mainly because of its long endurance for appreciation with the growth of industry producing higher employment levels in the community. Portland has seen home prices nearly triple in the last decade in some areas. The volume of sales in Portland, however, like many other areas of the nation have begun to slide over the past few months, but it should be at least several months before pricing levels begin to deteriorate.
Housing Predictor forecasts more than 250 local housing markets in all 50 U.S. states and has become a major resource for homeowners, real estate investors and potential home buyers.
It's independent unbiased forecasts have proven to be more than 85% accurate.
With a market that shows little signs of slowing, Albuquerque, New Mexico remains as the top 10 buyers market with forecast appreciation of 9.1% through the end of the year. Albuquerque is bulging with nearly one million residents, attracted to a warm climate and a growing industrial community, including a new movie studio and airplane factory.
The southern half of the nation is experiencing a migration of new residents never witnessed before in the nation's history as more U.S. residents move from colder climates to the warmth of the southern half of the country.