(MONEY Magazine) – With Orlando's 5.1% increase leading the way, house-price gains will be modest in the 50 largest metropolitan areas next year. Only 27 will see median prices meet or beat the country's expected 3.2% inflation rate, according to Regional Financial Associates, the West Chester, Pa. economics forecasting firm that prepared this analysis for MONEY. There's good news in Florida, where Orlando and Tampa promise the highest gains in the nation. At the bottom of our list is Detroit, where a projected job-growth rate of 1% (only slightly more than half the 1.9% forecasted for the nation next year) and a declining population will drive down prices. And California's housing market will continue to struggle; six of the state's seven metro areas rank among the 10 places with the gloomiest 1994 outlooks. -- W.L.U.

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