Charlotte, Seattle Top List of Housing Hot Spots

A survey conducted by online real estate Web site company HouseHunt Inc. pinpoints the nation's hottest housing markets, defined as those with residential appreciation rates of 5 percent to 10 percent and with more buyers than sellers.

In these markets, nearly half of all sellers get all or most of their asking prices; 78 percent get multiple offers, and properties usually sell within 30 days.

Charlotte, N.C., weighed in as the hottest metropolitan area market, followed by Seattle, Nashville, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C./Northern Virginia. Certain suburbs of Southern California and Chicago also made the list.

The non-metro areas with the most active markets include: Glenwood Springs, Colo.; Eagle River, Ark.; Meridian and Emmett, Idaho; Dallastown, Pa.; Covington, Ga.; and Newark, Del., according to HouseHunt.

Source: RisMedia.com, Beth Bresnahan (07/31/06)