PMI Mortgage Insurance Company, who understands housing risk as well as anyone, has ranked Columbus Ohio Metropolitan Area as one of the most stable in the country. They traditionally insured conventional mortgages with less than 20% equity. See page 6 of the attached report

http://www.pmi-us.com/media/pdf/products_services/eret/pmi_eret09v1.pdf

The Columbus Real Estate Investment Association (REIA) has added Bill Moorhead to the faculty.  He teaches classes on New Homes and Rehab.  The faculty was selected by the Association based upon experience and knowledge within their fields.

http://www.columbusreia.com/node/65

Columbus SMSA (Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area) which includes all the major suburbs continues to grow while many Midwestern SMSAs lose.  Why?   We are not losing manufacturing jobs overseas!!!  We have:

1. State government 
2. the Ohio State University and other colleges
3. Several internationally reknowned research facilities including Battelle
4. Cardinal Health, the Limited and related companies, and other large headquarters
5. Many emerging technological companies

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/multimedia/data/censussearch.html?appSession=88613973909843

http://www.forbes.com/2007/10/01/property-stable-homes-forbeslife-cx_mw_1001realestate_slide_4.html?thisSpeed=30000

From the Columbus Chamber:

1.  Columbus ranked #3 Top “Cities of the Future” on international investment. (fDi Magazine, April, 2007)
2.  Ohio ranks No. 1 in the nation for number of attractive micropolitans for capital investment. (Site Selection Magazine, March, 2007)
3. A top 50 hottest city for expansion and relocation (Expansion Management Magazine, Feb. 2007)
4. Ohio ranked #1 state in the Midwest for strong business climate and #3 in the nation among the states more attractive for investment capital (Site Selection magazine, December 2006)
5.  Ohio ranked seventh-highest number of women-owned businesses in the country (Center for Women’s Business Research and American Express, December 2006)
6.  Seventh strongest economy in the nation (POLICOM, August 2006)
7.  Eleventh best city for singles (Forbes, August 2006)
8.  Eighth best city to live (Money magazine, August 2006)
9. Ohio ranks 3^rd in employment in agricultural feedstock and chemicals. (Battelle Memorial study, May 2006)
10. Fourth Cleanest City (Reader’s Digest, July 2005)
11. A Top 10 High-Tech City (Popular Science Magazine, March 2005)
12. One of the Best Locations for Distribution Centers (Global Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies, April 2005)
13. Top 10 Shortest Commute Time Among Major Cities in the Country (U.S. Census Bureau, February 2004)
14. Sixth Least Expensive Big City in the Country to do Business (KPMG, February 2004)