The National Association of Home Builders Improving Markets Index lists metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective bottoms in employment, housing permits, and prices. In August, the list includes 80 cities across 32 states and the District of Columbia. David Crowe, NAHB’s chief economist, said the fact that there continues to be a strong core of metros on the list each month adds to growing evidence that the housing recovery has a solid foundation. The index now includes nearly one quarter of all U.S. metros. Five cities were added to the list in August, while 75 markets retained their spot and nine were removed from the index. The five new metropolitan areas were Miami and Palm Bay, Fla.; Hinesville, Ga.; Terre Haute, Ind.; and Lubbock, Texas. More here.
