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Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets for 2013!

By
Real Estate Agent with Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, TREC #0492321

Welcome to 2013! What are the top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets in the the country heading into the New Year? Texas Rocks again! Leading the list at No. 1 was Houston, TX, and coming in at 4th and 5th were San Antonio and Austin, TX respectively. All those major cities that made this year’s list reflect the nation’s strongest job growth, lowest vacancy rates, and lowest foreclosure inventories. According to a recent article written by John Kolko, Trulia’s Chief economist, the top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets for 2013 are as follows.

  1.         HoustonSan Antonio Housing Market
  2.         San Francisco
  3.         Bethesda-Rockville-Frederick, Md.
  4.         San Antonio
  5.         Austin
  6.         Seattle
  7.         Omaha, NE-IA
  8.         Peabody, MA ***
  9.         Fort Worth, TX
  10.         Louisville, KY-IN


***Note that Peabody MA refers to the Essex County metropolitan division, which includes the suburbs north of Boston, with a population of 740,000.

Mr. Kolko goes on to explain why rising prices were not included as a factor in determining these healthy housing markets. “Many of the markets with the largest price gains in 2012 were rebounding from huge price declines during the bust, but they still have weak fundamentals, such as high vacancy rates, large foreclosure inventories, or slow job growth.” Check out the complete article for “2013’s Top 10 Healthiest Housing Markets”.  

It’s plain to see why San Antonio made this list, because our lovely city has shown an increase in jobs over the last year since adding some 22,600 jobs by the private sector employers, according to latest information on economic report by the San Antonio Business Journal. San Antonio ranked 19th on the list of 102 metropolitan markets with more than 500,000 residents.  

Plus, when it comes to foreclosures, San Antonio still ranks as one of the lowest in the country. According to information released by Foreclosure.org, San Antonio didn’t even make the list of the top metropolitan cities with the most foreclosures. The local foreclosure rate for San Antonio stands at 3.1% making it No. 311 out of 366 metro areas. Read more about the San Antonio Foreclosure Numbers, and see why the Alamo City was ranked in the top 10 for the healthiest housing markets for 2013.        

Comments(62)

Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Kevin, Yes, 28% is high compared to our low numbers here in San Antonio. At least you are busy with all your Short Sales in that area.

Thanks, Jean. I wish you all the Best in 2013! I believe in time upstate New York will do well in this real estate industry.

Yes, Tom, That's what I have been telling buyers all year long. Texas is a great place to live and to purchase a home.

Thanks, Frank. I am with you all the way on this continued upward progression for Texas cities. Have a Great Year!

Wayne. You are so right. We need to shout out all the Good News, especially in our real estate industry.

Thanks, Bob. I am sure you will find a great use for this type of information. The public is always asking, "How is the Market", and "How are things in our cities"?

Thanks, Wandanna! It's great to hear from you, and I want to wish you and your family all the Best for 2013 too!

Yes, Sussie. Texas cities are doing very well. BTW, I am working on my Facebook Fridays now. It's in the Draft. Thanks for the reminder!!!

Jan 03, 2013 12:59 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Dana. Wishing you and your Family all the Best for 2013! May this be your best year ever!

Hi Ron, I love my Spurs too. Not bad for an older team in the league.

Mike, Texas would love to have you. I am sure you would do quite well in the Longhorn State. Wishing you all the Best in your business for 2013!

Thanks, Bob. I am starting the year off right. Got some appointments today, and the phone keeps ringing. Wishing you all the Best for the coming year too!

Yes, Conor. What you are describing is certainly a Seller's Market with all those multiple offers, and low inventory of homes for the buyers. It's a great time to be a listing agent in Seattle.

Thanks, Gary. You may find Florida on the list. I didn't look past No. 10 after I saw what those 4 cities were doing. Wishing you all the Best and Have a Great 2013!

 

Jan 03, 2013 01:06 AM
Ric Mills
Keller Williams Southern Az - Tucson, AZ
Integrity, Honesty, and Vast Real Estate Knowledge

The Texas market continues to be strong.  The shift has happened in most places. Looking for a better 2013.

Jan 03, 2013 01:14 AM
S W
Centerville, KS

Glad to see my hometown LOUISVILLE, KY made the list...GREAT SUGAR BOWL WIN  for the city last night!!!

Jan 03, 2013 02:59 AM
Tom Esposito
Alpharetta Home Solutions - Alpharetta, GA

Good info.  I was surprised that Atlanta wasn't in the top 10 but then I realized that we're lagging behind most other areas in hitting the downturn.  Most areas were having the bottom fall out in 2006 while Atlanta didn't start their slide until mid 2007.  So it will probably take us a while yet before we start to see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Jan 03, 2013 04:09 AM
Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

I'm surprised that San Francisco is doing so well considering how hard California got hit by the housing crisis.

Jan 03, 2013 06:20 AM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

Jerry, i am really shocked by most of teh cities on the list...except Austin. Houston and Loiusville...WOW I am surprised...not to mention OMAHA!!!

Jan 03, 2013 01:45 PM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Jerry, we are fortunate to be living and working in Texas! All the best to you in 2013!

Jan 03, 2013 09:51 PM
Rob Renk
Center Street Lending - McKinney, TX
AE | Fast Fix/Flip Loans for Residential Investors

You should have a wonderful year being in one of the healthiest markets in the country.  I hope it continues for a prosperous New Year.

Jan 03, 2013 11:11 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Jerry ~ it's great to see stories about the improved housing market.  I see Seattle on the list so that likely means that Portland can't be far behind!

Jan 04, 2013 02:15 AM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

Hello Jerry,

No, no, no...something is wrong here - where's my Big D?!!!

Jan 04, 2013 11:50 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Ric. Texas does continue to look strong. We are projecting a great 2013!

Hi Sean, I missed watching the Sugar Bowl, but I did watch our Aggies kick Oklahoma out of the state of Texas last night.

Hi Tom. I love Atlanta for many reasons. I am sure it's not that far behind the Top 10.

Yes, Rob. I had to look twice myself, but San Francisco did come in at the No. 2 spot. It may be the best city in the whole state that will have a healthy market in 2013.

Yes, Paddy. According to the criteria used to select these top 10, all those cities above did make the list.

Thanks, Sharon, It's times like these that I am glad to be a Texan. Wishing you all the Best in 2013!

Thanks, Rob. I am looking forward to another great year in Texas

Yes, Maureen. Portland and the rest of the state may not be that far behind the top 10.

Hi Lisa. I wandered about Big D myself. Not sure what factor kept it out of the top 10.

Jan 06, 2013 04:04 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

There have been several mentions of why Dallas is not on this list.  One of the reasons that Dallas is missing, but Fort Worth is on the list... is available land to expand.  (To those who are not aware, Dallas and Fort Worth are about thirty minutes apart... with Dallas to the East, and Fort Worth to the West.)

Dallas is land-locked.  All along the borders of Dallas... pretty much all the land is already developed.  Fort Worth, on the other hand, still has so much wide-open land available for development.  Lots and lots of land.  Prime land. 

I would not be surprised if in the future Fort Worth would surpass Dallas in population.

All one needs to do is take a look at Downtown Fort Worth, and compare it to Downtown Dallas... and you would see why.

Jan 06, 2013 12:10 PM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

Jerry  Looks like Texas dominates, so I know you will have great success in real estate this year.

Jan 06, 2013 02:16 PM
Steve and Jan Bachman
RE/MAX Gateway, Reston, Herndon, Ashburn, Sterling, Fairfax - Herndon, VA
Realtors - Northern Virginia

Texas is Rocking indeed!!!! We have been following the state's success in making its way in the new economy with economic diversity.

Jan 10, 2013 11:36 PM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Karen Anne,  Thanks for sharing this information about Dallas. Yes, Fort Worth may certainly pass Big D, since they have all that land to grow and to build.

Jan 11, 2013 12:52 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Thanks, Jennifer,. I am looking forward to a great year here in my area. Wishing you all the Best!

Jan 11, 2013 12:54 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Yes, Steve. Texas is a leader in the housing market. Looks like a great year. Wishing thou and Jan the Best!

Jan 11, 2013 12:57 AM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate

Jerry, Fort Worth and Dallas are very different places, even though they are about thirty miles apart.  Fort Worth is more "old money" with Dallas being "new money"... as it were.  Fort Worth is very nicely laid back.  A great way to show the difference is taking a trip to downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth.  Fort Worth has it's own character, Dallas is more nuts and bolts.

What is also funny is that the Dallas Cowboys are not in Dallas.  They are in Arlington, TX... which is right next to Fort Worth.

Jan 11, 2013 01:40 AM
Jerry Newman
Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX
Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Hi Karen Anne, I have visited downtown Dallas, but not downtown Fort Worth. Yes, Those Dallas Cowboys are out in Arlington, TX where my uncle lives. It's a nice growing area. I never thought of Fort Worth as being "old money", but it makes sense, because I see all that "New Money" being spent in Dallas.

Jan 11, 2013 04:33 AM