2006 Mid-Year Home Price Review

June home sales prices for new and existing homes in our 60 cities are now available. 49 out of the 60 cities tracked by RetireHomeSmart.com show a gain over the average home sales price for 2005. In fact, 19 cities report double digit growth.

The trend continues with the western states realizing the highest gains. Paradise Valley is the leader with an eye-popping increase of 103% since '05. The average sale in '06 in this popular destination is up to over $2.1 million. Other western cities with large gains include St George and Park City with 35% and 22% gains. Southampton leads the "east of the Mississippi" destinations with a 27% increase.

Arizona, Utah, California, Washington and Florida are seeing the highest percentage gains for the first half of 2006.

Our top retirement cities are not immune to the housing slow-down. Home prices in Kailua are down 18% and Gatlinburg 12% from 2005. Of the 11 cities with zero or negative growth in the these first 6 months, 8 are eastern cities.

Average home sales prices are updated monthly and you can check sales prices for all of our cities at RetireHomeSmart.com.