Home Builder magazine recently targeted Raleigh as the healthiest housing market in the country for 2011, with a 90 percent predicted increase in permits, which could lead to over 9,600 new homes.

“We have some of our members that are saying they’re having the best year they’ve had in many years,” said Heather Crews with the North Carolina Home Builders Association. “Some people are still struggling.”

Crews says it really does come down to price and location. Other factors like falling foreclosure rates and continued low-interest rates should yield higher builder confidence.

“I think a good description of our builders would be cautiously optimistic,” said Crews.

Home Builder Magazine listed Fayetteville as the state’s only questionable housing market. The All-America City has seen a decline in new housing permits from 2010, but continues to see growth.