Despite what is expected to be the slowest decade for population growth in the last 50 years, retail investors must continue to search diligently for markets whose continued growth offers the best chance for long-term success.

Home prices around the U.S. appreciated enormously in the first seven years of the decade, but declines over the last two years now dominate the headlines. But which markets showed the biggest early gains and largest recent dip? According to analysis by Nielsen Claritas of 254 counties with populations of a 250K or more found that counties in California and Florida dominated both categories.
Top 10 Counties with the Highest Percentage Decrease in Median Home Value from 2007-09

Rank
County
% Change from 2000-07
%Change 2007-09

1
Merced Cty, CA
192.0%
-37.6%

2
San Joaquin Cty, CA
185.9%
-36.1%

3
Stanislaus …