5. Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV

24/7 Wall St.: America's Fastest-Growing Housing Markets

Expected price increase: 3.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.8 percent (176th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -6.7 percent

Between the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2011, home prices in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg metropolitan area dropped 6.7 percent — among the largest decreases in the nation for that period. From their peak in the first quarter of 2007, prices have dropped a total 32.1 percent — more than most markets. However, in the coming year, home prices are expected to increase 3.8 percent. In the year after that, they are projected to grow an additional 3.9 percent.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.

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Fastest-Growing ... Nationally, home prices are projected to decline 4 percent by the end of this year, according to Fiserv Case-Shiller’s latest projections. The country’s largest population centers will not escape this fate. In fact, in all but 50 of the 384 largest metropolitan areas examined, home prices are projected to decline for at least another 12 months before they start improving.

Among the 50 fortunate regions where housing prices are expected to increase, the gains will likely be modest. Only in nine cities are home values projected to grow by more than 3 percent, and the largest increase is estimated at just 4.3 percent.

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the fastest-growing housing markets to try to identify the reasons behind their success.

24/7 Wall St.’s Fastest-Growing Housing Markets is based on Fiserv Case-Shiller’s forecast of changes in home prices from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012. 24/7 Wall St. also included each metropolitan area’s population, February 2012 unemployment rate, and change in home prices from the fourth quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2011 — all of which was provided by Fiserv Case-Shiller.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
9. Danville, VA Expected price increase: 3.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.5 percent (123rd highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): 0.0 percent

Home prices in Danville fell 6.1 percent from their peak in the first quarter of 2009. Compared to most cities, this decline is relatively small. The Danville metropolitan area is home to just over 100,000 people, making it among the least populated regions in the country. After a year in which home prices did not increase or decrease — between the fourth quarter of 2010 and the fourth quarter of 2011 — home prices in the city are now expected to rise by 3.3 percent by the end of this year — one of the largest increases in the country.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
8. Kennewick-Pas... Expected price increase: 3.0 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.7 percent (111th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): 0.0 percent

Home prices in the Kennewick-Pasco-Richland, Washington metro area were barely touched by the recession. Real estate values didn’t peak until the third quarter of 2010 and are only down 1.8 percent since that period. Fiserv projects home prices will increase 3.6 percent in the region through the end of this year. By the end of 2013, values are expected to increase an additional 3.8 percent.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
7. Lewiston, ID-... Expected price increase: 3.6 percent
Unemployment rate: 6.6 percent (97th lowest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -1.8 percent(175/384)

The Lewiston metropolitan area, which has the second-smallest population in the country, is projected to undergo its first improvement in housing prices since 2009 in the coming year — an increase of 3.6 percent. In the following year, home prices are expected to increase 6.2 percent. This is within the top eighth of largest increases for next year. Between the fourth quarter of 2011 and the fourth quarter of 2016, home prices in the Lewiston housing market are expected to increase an average of 3.7 percent each year.
(iStock Photo)

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6. Eugene-Spring... Expected price increase: 3.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.3 percent (142nd highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -6.1 percent

From their peak in the second quarter of 2007, home prices in the Eugene-Springfield region fell 21.2 percent during the recession, putting it in the top third for the biggest declines in the country. In the last year alone, prices fell nearly 6 percent, the 40th worst decline in the country. However, Fiserv projects the region has hit its trough. Through the fourth quarter of this year, home prices are expected to increase 3.8 percent. Between the end of this year and the end of 2013, they will go up an additional 8.3 percent.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
5. Hagerstown-Ma... Expected price increase: 3.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.8 percent (176th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -6.7 percent

Between the fourth quarters of 2010 and 2011, home prices in the Hagerstown-Martinsburg metropolitan area dropped 6.7 percent — among the largest decreases in the nation for that period. From their peak in the first quarter of 2007, prices have dropped a total 32.1 percent — more than most markets. However, in the coming year, home prices are expected to increase 3.8 percent. In the year after that, they are projected to grow an additional 3.9 percent.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
4. Coeur d’Alene... Expected price increase: 3.8 percent
Unemployment rate: 8.9 percent (96th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -4.5 percent

Coeur d’Alene, located in northern Idaho, is one of the smallest and most remote metropolitan areas in the country, with a population of just over 140,000 residents. It is, however, located next to the much larger Spokane, Washington, across the state border. Home prices in the region fell 27.1 percent during the recession from their peak in the third quarter of 2007. In the past three years alone, prices fell more than 8 percent each year. The area is projected to experience a substantial housing recovery over the next half-decade. Between the end of 2011 and the end of 2016, Fiserv estimates home prices will increase 4.5 percent each year.
(iStock Photo)

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3. Medford, OR Expected price increase: 4.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 10.8 percent (37th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -6.6 percent

Medford, OR, is a relatively poor metropolitan area, with a median family income of $49,700 — compared to the national median income of $63,000. The drop in home prices — a decrease of 37.1 percent since 2006 — has therefore been all the more painful on residents. Fortunately, home prices are projected to increase 4.2 percent in the next year. In the year after that prices are expected to increase another 15.3 percent — the third-largest increase in the country.
(iStock Photo)

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The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
2. Glens Falls, ... Expected price increase: 4.2 percent
Unemployment rate: 7.5 percent (185th lowest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -2.4 percent

Home prices in Glens Falls, NY, declined only moderately during the housing crisis. Homes lost 7 percent of their value from their peak, much lower compared to a 34.2 percent average decline nationwide. Still, the 2.4 percent drop per year between the end of 2008 and 2011 was apparently enough for investors to identify the region as a potential investment. The regional economy remains stable, with an unemployment rate of 7.5 percent, well below the national average. Fiserv projects home prices in the area to increase 4.2 percent by the end of this year and increase an average of 7.2 percent per year by the end of 2016.
(iStock Photo)

More From 24/7 Wall Street:
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The Ten Most And Least Affordable Cities To Buy A Home
Nine Countries Where Unemployment Does Not Exist

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
1. Madera-Chowch... Expected price increase: 4.3 percent
Unemployment rate: 14.4 percent (10th highest)
Change in home prices (2010Q4-2011Q4): -10.0 percent

Home prices in the Madera-Chowchilla metropolitan area are projected to increase 4.3 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012. The following year, prices are expected to increase another 16.5 percent — the highest rate in the U.S. However, these improvements come after the region experienced among the worst effects of the housing crash. From the time Madera’s home prices peaked in the third quarter of 2006 to the fourth quarter of 2011, they dropped 53.1 percent. This is one of the largest drops in the country.
(iStock Photo)

More From 24/7 Wall Street:
The States With The Most Homes In Foreclosure
The Ten Most And Least Affordable Cities To Buy A Home
Nine Countries Where Unemployment Does Not Exist

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Comcast.
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