Top 10 Counties Predicted For Real Estate Investment

Despite a national real estate market slow down leading much of the U.S. housing into an all-time depression, there are notable exceptions where local areas are bucking the trend, according to the latest Housing Predictor survey.

The majority of states may be facing real estate depressions with property values declining - but not everywhere.

Here's Ten Counties in Eight States Where Home Values are Rising.

Top Ten Highest Rated Counties

Regional Examples Provided by eBay

10. Bernalillo County New Mexico

With an expected 3.5% increase in home values for 2008, Albuquerque New Mexico located in Bernalillo County is number ten on the list of top performing regions. The county covers 1,166 square miles including Albuquerque (County Seat), Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Tijeras.

In 2006, Bernalillo County had a population of 615,099 and a population density of 477.4 people per square mile living in 271,223 homes and apartments, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

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9. Mobile County Alabama

Mobile Alabama home owners can expect to see their investments increase by 3.95 percent in 2008 according to the Housing Predictor report.

Mobile county covers 1,233 square miles including Bayou La Batre, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Creola, Dauphin Island, Mobile (County Seat), Mount Vernon, Prichard, Saraland, and Satsuma Alabama.

Mobile, Alabama

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8. Cass County North Dakota

With an expected 4.0 per cent increase in home values for 2008, Fargo North Dakota is number eight on the list of top performing regions. Cass county covers 1,765 square miles of North Dakota.

In 2006, the county had a population of 132,525 people living in 63,258 homes and apartments, according to Census Bureau statistics. In addition to Fargo, the county also encompasses more than fifty cities, towns and villages including Amenia, Argusville, Buffalo, Casselton, Davenport, Frontier, Gardner, and Tower City North Dakota.

Fargo, North Dakota

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7. Mesa County Colorado

According to Housing Predictor estimates, Grand Junction Colorado home owners are likely see their investments increase by four percent in 2008.

Mesa county includes Collbran, De Beque, Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade in its 3,328 square mile jurisdiction.

With a population density of only 35 people per square mile living in 57,280 homes and apartments, the county issued 1,574 building permits in 2006.

Grand Junction, Colorado

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6. Travis County Texas

Austin Texas home owners can expect to see values increase by as much as 4.0 percent in 2008 according to the Housing Predictor report.

Travis county is the center of state government. According to Census Bureau figures the county contained 921,006 residents in 2006 when it issued 15,738 building permits.

Population density in Travis County is 821 people per square mile. In addition to Austin, the county is also home to Briarcliff, Creedmoor, Jonestown, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Manor, Mustang Ridge, Pflugerville, Rollingwood, San Leanna, Sunset Valley, The Hills, Webberville, West Lake Hills and Westlake.

Austin, Texas

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5. Yakima County Washington

With an expected 4.1 per cent increase in home values for 2008, Yakima Washington is number five on the list of top performing regions and one of two from the state of Washington to make the list.

In addition to the city of Yakima, the county's jurisdiction also includes Grandview, Granger, Harrah, Mabton, Moxee, Naches, Selah, Sunnyside, Tieton, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, and Zillah

In 2006, Yakima county had a population of 233,105 and a population density of 52 people per square mile living in 82,233 homes and apartments, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Yakima, Washington

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4. Spokane County Washington

Spokane home owners can expect to see their investments increase by 4.4 percent in 2008 according to the Housing Predictor report.

In 2006, Spokane county was home to an estimated 446,706 people living in 191,767 housing units. That year the county issued 3,764 new building permits according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics.

Spanning 1,763 square miles, Spokane county includes Airway Heights, Cheney, Deer Park , Fairfield, Latah, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Reardan, Rockford, Spangle, Spokane (County Seat), Spokane Valley and Waverly.

Spokane, Washington

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3. Burleigh County North Dakota

According to Housing Predictor estimates, Bismarck North Dakota home owners will likely see their investments increase by 4.6 per cent in 2008.

Inside the 1,633 square miles controlled by Burleigh county are more than forty cities towns and suburbs including Bismarck (County Seat), Lincoln, Regan, and Wing.

With a population density of 42 people per square mile living in 32,438 homes and apartments, the county issued only 691 building permits in 2006 according to the US Census Bureau..

Bismarck, North Dakota

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2. Polk County Oregon

In 2006, Polk county was home to an estimated 73,296 people living in 27,087 homes and apartments. The county issued 383 new building permits that year according to the latest statistics available from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Spanning 741 square miles, Polk county includes properties in Dallas (County Seat), Falls City, Independence, Monmouth and Salem Oregon.

According to Housing Predictor estimates, Salem Oregon home owners will likely see their investments increase by 4.7 percent in 2008.

Salem, Oregon

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1. Harrison County Mississippi

Aided by government programs following hurricane Katrina, the number one best place to invest in real estate in the country is Biloxi Mississippi, according to Housing Predictor statistics, where the local market values have increased in value by nearly five percent (4.9%).

With a population density of 326 people per square mile living in 78,693 homes and apartments in 2006 the county issued 2,644 building permits that year. This is the most current data available from the US Census Bureau.

In addition to Biloxi, Harrison county also includes D'Iberville, Gulfport (County Seat), Long Beach, and Pass Christian Mississippi.

Biloxi, Mississippi

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