MauiLifeStyleBlog

The 2008
Top 25 Real Estate Market Forecast

An amazing dozen states real estate markets are represented on the 2008 Housing Predictor Top 25 Market list.

The Top 25 with the highest forecast appreciation have the greatest probability of reaching their forecast of the more than 250 local housing markets Housing Predictor forecasts. In 2007 Housing Predictor’s forecasts were 86% correct within a 1 to 2 percent margin.

Yakima, Washington in eastern Washington State won the #1 position with forecast appreciation of 7.1% after appreciating strongly in the past year. Yakima still has a fairly active market, despite mortgage woes.

However, Hawaii is the strongest single state in the nation for real estate sales, and Honolulu was selected for the second spot in the Top 25, followed by Salem, Oregon. Six states each placed 3 communities on the list.

Interestingly, the top markets for 2008 are scattered throughout all parts of the U.S. from the west to the east and into the southern states. No particular area was more dominate than another as more and more smaller communities based on population made the forecast. The forecast shows a strong trend that is developing in the U.S. More people are moving to smaller less urban cities seeking a better quality of life.

Rank	Real Estate Market	2008 Forecast
1.	Yakima, WA	7.1%
2.	Honolulu, HI	6.8%
3.	Salem, OR	6.5%
4.	Maui, HI	5.6%
5.	Bismarck, ND	5.6%
6.	Manhattan, NY	5.2%
7.	Sun Valley, ID	5.1%
8.	Biloxi, MS	5.1%
9.	Kauai, HI	4.9%
10.	Austin, TX	4.8%
11.	Grand Junction, CO	4.5%
12.	Fargo, ND	4.5%
13.	Mobile, AL	4.4%
14.	McAllen, TX	4.3%
15.	Idaho Falls, ID	4.2%
16.	Spokane, WA	4.2%
17.	Glen Falls,NY	4.0%
18.	Salt Lake City, UT	3.9%
19.	Grand Forks,ND	3.9%
20.	San Antonio, TX	3.9%
21.	Seattle, WA	3.8%
22.	Pascagoula, MS	3.8%
23.	Hattiesburg, MS	3.7%
24.	Albuquerque, NM	3.5%
25.	Kellogg, ID	3.5%