Houston
Median price: $150,000
Foreclosure rate: 1.61%
Like Dallas, Houston has enjoyed strong population growth and steady economic progress. Its residential construction industry also benefits from a relaxed regulatory environment and cheap land for building.
Prices never went through any huge run-up in Houston, either. The median Houston home now costs $150,000, more than 15% below the rest of the nation, according to the NAHB index.
Houston homebuyers rarely resorted to exotic mortgage products because homes remained so affordable. As a result, the foreclosure rate has been moderate. Only one house of every 62 received a foreclosure notice in 2010, putting the city in 104th place out of the 206 markets covered by RealtyTrac.
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Last updated January 27 2011: 6:31 PM ET
