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It takes banks months to repossess and sell homes after owners stop making mortgage payments.
10 Worst Real Estate Markets for 2009
The housing market hasn't bottomed out yet. For the third quarter, the closely-watched S&P Case-Shiller national home-price index fell 16.6%, and experts are predicting further declines. Of the top 100 markets, here are 10 with the worst forecasts.
2008 median house price:
$375,340
2009 projected change:
-24.9%
2010 projected change:
-5.1%
The median home price in the L.A.-Long Beach-Glendale metro area is projected to fall nearly 25% in 2009 - the biggest drop in the country.
2008 median house price: $248,050
2009 projected change:
-24.7%
2010 projected change:
-4.0%
2008 median house price:
$256,540
2009 projected change:
-23.3%
2010 projected change:
-4.8%
2008 median house price: $293,590
2009 projected change:
-22.8%
2010 projected change:
-6.4%
Miami will be nursing the hangover from its epic building boom for years to come. After falling 22% in 2008, prices are predicted to plunge another 23% next year.
2008 median house price:
$225,140
2009 projected change:
-22.2%
2010 projected change:
2.3%
2008 median house price: $532,810
2009 projected change:
-22.0%
2010 projected change:
-3.5%
2008 median house price:
$257,170
2009 projected change:
-21.6%
2010 projected change:
-3.3%
BusinessFacilities.com
2008 median house price: $412,490
2009 projected change:
-21.1%
2010 projected change:
-2.9%
2008 median house price:
$227,270
2009 projected change:
-20.9%
2010 projected change:
-2.5%
2008 median house price: $343,160
2009 projected change:
-19.9%
2010 projected change:
-5.7%