The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) tells MHProNews.com that its First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) indicates the number of housing markets registering measurable improvement now numbers 76, up from 41 in December, 2011. The index measures housing permits, employment, and house prices for six months in a row in metropolitan areas. “While relatively small metropolitan areas continue to dominate the list of improving housing markets, it’s important to note that several major metros in diverse parts of the country have now joined the field as well – including ….. Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Nashville and Philadelphia,” says NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “This is an encouraging sign that gradually strengthening economic conditions are starting to take hold across a broader swath of America.” Only five metropolitan areas were removed from the improving list: Fort Wayne, IN, Canton, Ohio, Scranton, PA, Anchorage, Alaska, and Charleston, W. Va.
