These are the 10 states with America’s most stable housing markets

The three most important things in real estate: location, location, location. And the U.S. real estate market is in a weird place right now.

Mortgage rates are nearly double what they were a year ago, reflecting the Federal Reserve’s campaign to rein in inflation. But they have also been volatile, including some sharp declines from week to week.

Home prices remain stuck at historic highs with bidding wars reported in some places, even as the inventory of homes for sale begins to grow and housing markets across the country, including some of the biggest in the states below, begin to cool.

Where is everything heading? Realtor.com recently revised its 2022 forecast, now calling for sales to decline by 6.7% this year. Forecasters previously called for a 6.6% increase. But even if the new forecast holds true, it would still be the second biggest sales year since 2007, only trailing last year.

As always, some states will fare better than others. Because companies consider the local housing market in their location decisions, CNBC’s America’s Top States for Business study gauges the health of each state’s housing market as part of the broader Economy category, which is worth 13% of a state’s overall score under this year’s methodology. The housing metric considers year-over-year price appreciation, new construction per year, as well as foreclosures and insolvency in the first quarter. 

Looking for a safe place to ride out a potential housing storm? These ten states are the most stable.

A solid economy in the Mount Rushmore State has prices rising steadily. Foreclosure activity is very low, but a rising level of underwater mortgages could foreshadow some cracks below the surface.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 12 (Top States Grade: B-)

Appreciation: 20.1%

Starts per 1,000 population: 8.8

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 17,724 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 4.8%

Inventory is still historically tight with bidding wars still common in many South Carolina markets, and prices still steadily increasing. But new construction is surging and stress on existing loans is under control.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 13 (tie) (Top States Grade: B-)

Appreciation: 21.4%

Starts per 1,000 population: 9.5

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 1,081 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 3.4%

Prices are surging here more than any other state. But new construction is booming too, helping to ease Arizona’s inventory crunch. Rising foreclosures are a potential cause for concern, but home equity is solid.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 22 (tie) (Top States Grade: C-)

Appreciation: 27.4%

Starts per 1,000 population: 9

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 1,861 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.4%

The Green Mountain State continues to benefit from new residents seeking refuge from the big cities. Home prices are rising at healthy clip, and mortgages are beyond healthy. New construction, however, is not keeping pace, and the overall economy in Vermont is sluggish.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 33 (Top States Grade: D+)

Appreciation: 20%

Starts per 1,000 population: 3.2

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 13,930 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.1%

Tennessee has the second strongest overall economy in the nation, and its strong and stable housing market is a big reason why. Home prices are surging along with economic output. New construction is healthy, though foreclosures and underwater mortgages are starting to creep up.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 2 (Top States Grade: A+)

Appreciation: 24.1%

Starts per 1,000 population: 8.2

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 2,797 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 2.9%

Idaho’s housing market has been going gangbusters for some time now. Buying a home in the Gem State is not for the faint of heart. But new construction is slowly starting to relieve the inventory squeeze. Rising foreclosure are a potential warning sign if the economy tips into a recession.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 5 (Top States Grade: A)

Appreciation: 27%

Starts per 1,000 population: 10.5

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 6,015 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.6%

Texas’ population gains are helping fuel a housing boom, but one that is not getting out of hand. New homes for those new residents are springing up fast, and home equity is good.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 8 (Top States Grade: A-)

Appreciation: 19.3%

Starts per 1,000 population: 8.9

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 2,326 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 2.5%

It’s almost all sunshine and light in Florida’s housing market. Prices are jumping, but so are construction crews. Rising foreclosure rates in a state known for its boom-and-bust cycles could be a cloud on the horizon.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 4 (Top States Grade: A)

Appreciation: 25.7%

Starts per 1,000 population: 9.6

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 1,211 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.4%

Washington’s impressive run of economic growth has kept its housing market among the hottest in the nation for several years now, defying predictions of a crash. A shortage of new construction is probably keeping prices high, and raising continued concerns about how stable the market is.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 3 (Top States Grade: A)

Appreciation: 20.1%

Starts per 1,000 population: 7.3

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 4,965 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.2%

No matter how you look at it, the housing market in the Beehive State is buzzing. Prices are rising at the second highest rate in the country, but with the nation’s fastest pace of new construction, plenty of new inventory is on the way in Utah. Foreclosures are manageable and home equity is strong in the top housing market in the nation.

2022 Economy Rank: No. 6 (Top States Grade: A)

Appreciation: 27.1%

Starts per 1,000 population: 12.2

Foreclosure rate: 1 in 2,063 housing units

Underwater mortgages: 1.4%

Data Sources: CNBC America’s Top States for Business study, Federal Housing Finance Agency, U.S. Census Bureau, ATTOM Data Solutions.