Statistics from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicate modest improvement this month over March, and anticipates a traditional, solid, spring home-buying season. Based on employment, permits and price data, the NAHB/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) reports 28 percent of metro areas experienced a rise in their score this month, and 83 percent saw a rise within the last year. Baton Rouge, LA tops the list of large metro LMI areas, MHProNews.com has learned, followed by Honolulu, Oklahoma City, Austin and Houston, Texas, San Jose, CA. and Harrisburg, PA. Smaller metro areas with strong LMIs are centered around energy exploration sites such as Odessa and Midland, Texas, and western North Dakota. ##

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