A new report from ATTOM Data Solutions looks at county-level housing markets across the country in an effort to determine which are the most stable and which face rising risks. The analysis was based on a number of factors including the percentage of homes facing foreclosure, the portion with loan balances that exceeded property values, percentage of local wages necessary to cover homeownership expenses, and local unemployment rates. The results show the country’s most stable markets located primarily in the South and Midwest – with Wisconsin leading the list with nine of the strongest markets. More vulnerable markets were located primarily in the areas around New York City, the Chicago metro area, and inland California. Rob Barber, ATTOM’s CEO, says the housing market remains strong overall. “As always, this is not a warning sign for homeowners to run out and sell, or rush to buy, in any specific market,” Barber said about the results. “The housing market remains strong throughout most of the country despite some recent small downturns.” (source)
