Double the number of housing markets moved into the “improving” category this month compared to last month, according to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index, which debuted last month.

Twenty-three housing markets qualified as “improving” compared to 12 last month. Metro areas are considered “improving” if they show an improvement in housing permits, employment, and housing prices for at least six months. Texas cities appear the most frequently on the list.

"Both the number and geographic diversity of improving housing markets expanded this month, with Iowa, Illinois, and South Carolina all newly represented by one entry or more on the list," Bob Nielsen, NAHB chairman, said in a statement. "This is further evidence that, despite the tough conditions that persist in many cities, pockets of improvement are emerging in local housing markets across the country."

The following are the 23 markets labeled “improving” in October, according to NAHB’s index:
• Alexandria, La.
• Amarillo, Texas
• Anchorage, Alaska
• Bismarck, N.D.
• Casper, Wyo.
• Fairbanks, Ark.
• Fayetteville, N.C.
• Houma, La.
• Iowa City, Iowa
• Jonesboro, Ark.
• Kankakee, Ill.
• McAllen, Texas
• Midland, Texas
• New Orleans, La.
• Odessa, Texas
• Pine Bluff, Ark.
• Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Sherman, Texas
• Sumter, S.C.
• Waco, Texas
• Waterloo, Iowa
• Wichita Falls, Texas
• Winston-Salem, N.C.

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine Daily News