Housing

There are still areas in America where housing is affordable and appreciating in value. The following article is a good indicator that our current housing downturn is just temporary and will stabilize quickly.

Housing Markets That Are Still Thriving-The best-performing housing market in the country during the third quarter was picturesque Wenatchee, a city of more than 35,000 that is the seat of Chelan County, Wash. Prices in the Wenatchee metro area increased by 15.7 percent year over year, according to RealtyTrac.-Home prices also jumped more than 10 percent in second home markets in Utah, Idaho, and Colorado. -"They're doing so well because they're getting the run-off from California, Nevada, and Arizona," says Jeannine Cataldi, senior economist for Global Insight. "When prices got so high [in those states], people said, 'there must be places that are more affordable.’”
Here are the top 10 best performing markets in the country:

1. Wenatchee, Wash.: 15.7 percent
2. Provo-Orem, Utah: 14.35 percent
3. Grand Junction, Colo.: 14.05 percent
4. Ogden-Clearfield, Utah: 13.95 percent
5. Salt Lake City: 13.37 percent
6. Idaho Fall, Idaho: 11.69 percent
7. Austin-Round Rock, Texas: 9.67 percent
8. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas: 9.44 percent
9. Asheville, N.C.: 9.44 percent
10. Billings, Mont.: 9.07 percent
11. Source: BusinessWeek, Prashant Gopal (12/10/07)