20 Areas Added to NAHB Improving Markets Index

Twenty metropolitan areas were added to the NAHB's Improving Markets Index (IMI) in December while nine markets dropped off, bringing the index's total to 41. The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in housing permits, employment and housing prices. In November, the IMI grew from 23 to 30.

The markets that fell off the IMI were primarily due to softer house prices; however, the IMI added 20 markets, including major metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C.; San Jose, Calif.; and Toledo, Ohio.

"The increases we continue to see in the number and geographic diversity of improving metros are quite encouraging, and evidence of the fact that all housing markets are dependent on uniquely local factors," said NAHB Chairman Bob Nielsen, a home builder from Reno, Nev. Nielsen also noted that as of December, 21 states and the District of Columbia are represented on the IMI, up from14 states in November.

The current list includes:

• Anchorage, Alaska
• San Jose, Calif.
• Boulder, Colo.
• Fort Collins, Colo.
• Washington, D.C.
• Athens, Ga.
• Davenport, Iowa
• Waterloo, Iowa
• Kankakee, Ill.
• Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Muncie, Ind.
• Monroe, La.
• New Orleans, La.
• Ann Arbor, Mich.
• Muskegon, Mich.
• Jackson, Miss.
• Fayetteville, N.C.
• Winston-Salem, N.C.
• Bismarck, N.D.
• Grand Forks, N.D.
• Lincoln, Neb.
• Canton, Ohio
• Toledo, Ohio
• Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Scranton, Pa.
• Williamsport, Pa.
• Kingsport, Tenn.
• Amarillo, Texas
• Corpus Christi, Texas
• Laredo, Texas
• McAllen, Texas
• Midland, Texas
• Odessa, Texas
• Sherman, Texas
• Tyler, Texas
• Danville, Va.
• Winchester, Va.
• Burlington, Vt.
• Charleston, W.Va.
• Casper, Wyo.
• Cheyenne, Wyo.