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.
