Navigating your market

Why is that the housing market in some areas is booming and tanking in others.  According to CNNMoney.com it is the simple principle of supply and demand.  But the bottom line is this, if the economy is okay then your market will be too.  Housing prices will not decline if local industries are doing well.  Just read the business section of your local paper or the paper of the area you are considering moving to and get a sense of what is going on.