Annual employment growth in Colorado was measured at a respectable 2.2% in November and will likely finish the year having created around 55,000 new jobs. Within the metropolitan market areas included in this report, we are seeing employment growth at or above the state level and I anticipate that this will continue to be the case in 2017.

Employment in the Las Vegas market slowed modestly towards the end of 2016 after having performed very well for the past couple of years. November data showed that 943,100 people were employed in Clark County; this is up by 19,000 from November of 2015, representing a growth rate of 2.1%. In a further sign of an improving labor market, the local unemployment rate has dropped...

Economic growth in Washington State continues to trend well above the nation and it is one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Housing markets throughout the state have benefited greatly from this economic vitality. Home prices continue to increase while the number of homes for sale remains stagnant. The average number of active listings in the fourth quarter was 21% lower...

The Southern California economy continues to add jobs, which in turn increases demand for housing. The region remains a seller’s market; however, it will be interesting to see what effect the recent rise in interest rates will have on the growth of home prices, especially in the more expensive Orange County and Los Angeles County areas. Given further anticipated increases in interest rates...