The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports 44 markets have been added to the First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) for Sept., bringing the number to 291, the highest number since the index began two years ago. Based on improvement in housing permits, employment and home prices for at least six months, only five markets were dropped from the list in Sept. “The dramatic increase in markets qualifying for the IMI in September was partly due to a recent improvement in the way that Freddie Mac measures home prices, which resulted in stronger gains than previously reported,” noted NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. “Even so, the broadened list of metros on the IMI continues to demonstrate the slow but steady gains that individual housing markets are making to bolster the national outlook.” As MHProNews has learned, every state has at least one county that is part of an improving market.
