Seattle Markets Still looking Strong.

Seattle is "one coastal market that remains strong," according to a report in The Wall Street Journal. Upon evaluating fundamental indicators in 18 major real estate markets, reporter James Hagerty and research colleagues uncovered some shifts in the relative strengths of housing markets.

Using data from multiple sources, the newspaper examined inventories, pricing trends and projections of job creation.

Houston, Dallas and Atlanta emerged as "robust markets," while Boston, Miami and Los Angeles are "slowing markets." Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and Washington, D.C. have "mixed" indicators.

Seattle was one of only five areas with a "very strong" employment outlook, and one of only five areas with upward trending prices. It was the only area with both a gain in inventory and prices combined with expectations of "very strong" job growth.

Citing real estate executives and economists, the report concluded the nation as a whole will experience a "fairly soft landing for the housing market." Exceptions may occur in parts of Southern California, where "prices could fall as much as 5 percent to 10 percent this year."