Improving Markets Index Expands in November

Improving Markets Index is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas.

The number of improving housing markets continued to expand for a third consecutive month in November, rising from 23 to 30 on the latest National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI).

The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in housing permits, employment and housing prices.

The list dropped two metropolitan areas and added nine new ones - Cheyenne, Wyo.; Corpus Christi, Tex.; Davenport, Iowa.; Fort Collins, Colo.; Hinesville, Ga.; Lima, Ohio; Monroe, La.; Tyler, Tex.; and Williamsport, Pa. The two metros that dropped off of the list in November were Iowa City and Wichita Falls. These communities experienced declines in their employment and permit data, respectively.

The three indicators that IMI analyzes are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac, and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau.

NAHB uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metro area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

- Courtesy of NAHB