thanks, I was wondering if some Seattlites could comment on the WSJ article this weekend which claims that Seattle RE prices are still hot.
Where Home Prices Are Hot Now
by Dean Treftz
Friday, May 11, 2007provided byWSJ
Despite a National Downturn, Some Markets That Missed the The Housing Boom Are Thriving; Fleeing Florida for Charlotte
The housing news isn't all grim. Even as prices sag nationwide, there are several cities in the country where home values are climbing smartly.
Portland, Ore., Boise, Idaho, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Houston, Austin, and Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C., are among the cities bucking the national trend. Homes' appreciation there between the fourth quarters of 2005 and 2006 far exceeded the national average of 5.9%, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. In some markets, like Boise and Seattle, the appreciation jumped well into the double digits.
Industry and Education
Most of the cities also have one or more strong industries to drive their economies -- colleges and technology in Raleigh, banks in Charlotte, energy in Houston and aerospace in Seattle. And all have education levels above the national average.
finance.yahoo.com |
