Improving Markets Index

The IMI is designed to track housing markets throughout the country that are showing signs of improving economic health. The index measures three sets of independent monthly data to get a mark on the top improving Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The three indicators that are analyzed are employment growth from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, house price appreciation from Freddie Mac and single-family housing permit growth from the U.S. Census Bureau. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) uses the latest available data from these sources to generate a list of improving markets. A metro area must see improvement in all three areas for at least six months following their respective troughs before being included on the improving markets list.

New Metros

  • Dothan, AL
  • Elizabethtown, KY
  • Salisbury, MD
  • Salem, OR

 

Metros Dropped

  • Gadsden, AL
  • Augusta, GA
  • Macon, GA
  • Savannah, GA
  • Sioux City, IA
  • Lewiston, ID
  • Chicago, IL
  • Rockford, IL
  • Lexington, KY
  • Baton Rouge, LA
  • Raleigh, NC
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • Altoona, PA
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Morristown, TN
  • McAllen, TX
  • Appleton, WI
  • Milwaukee, WI
  • Racine, WI

Top Metros

Looking for More?

View the data for each market listed in this report.
Download the Data

 

** From trough. 

The NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) is released on the fouth business day of each month at 10:00 a.m. ET, unless that day falls on a Friday, in which case, the index will be released the following Monday. A full calendar of release dates can be found at www.nahb.org/imi

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"Today’s report shows that the majority of U.S. metros are experiencing strengthening house prices, employment and permitting activity, which is a much more positive picture than the one we were seeing a year ago," observed Kurt Pfotenhauer, vice chairman of First American Title Insurance Company. "That’s the big picture on which consumers need to focus."
-- Kurt PfotenhauerVice ChairmanFirst American TitleInsurance Company

Media Inquiries

Carrie Loranger
Corporate Communications
First American Financial Corporation

1 First American Way
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Call - 714.250.3298
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