The five states with the lowest unemployment rate also have some of the most stable real estate prices in the Union. Interestingly, though, most observers may be surprised at those states as reported by the Associated Press.

"Insulated from the harshest effects of the housing bust -- and buoyed by an abundance of energy and agriculture … . Recent declines in commodity prices are being felt across Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Nebraska, with plans for natural gas and biofuel production being scaled back." While the national unemployment rate swelled to 6.7 percent in November, the above states each stood at 3.7 percent.

The pricing for these markets have fluctuated only in the $1,000 - $5,000 range over the last year – making them some of the best markets for buyers and sellers to deal with. Some of the reasons, Chreighton University economics professor Ernie Goss says, is because the states have been "insulated" from the "harshest effects of the recession."

The AP report says, "They also avoided job losses that struck the financial services industry … in part because rural bankers tended to be more cautious in their lending and exposure to risky mortgage derivatives that ended up badly for some of Wall Street's largest investment banks."

Published: January 23, 2009

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