Top 10 towns for working towards home ownership

BALTIMORE - The economic downturn and real estate bubble burst have led to a pretty volatile housing market these days.

But there are still some places where the chance of working towards owning a home is real.

Factors include the size of the job market and how many positions are available in proportion to the population, number of houses on the market, time on the market, median home price, and the unemployment rate.

Move Inc. has put together a list of the top ten cities where real estate ownership is still a good idea.

• #1 - Washington, DC - 147 job postings per 1,000 people, 6.2% unemployment, median list price of $369,999.
• #2 - Baltimore, MD - 104 job postings per 1,000 people, 7.9% unemployment, median list price of $244,500.
• #3 - Cleveland, OH - 102 job postings per 1,000 people, 8.3% unemployment, median list price of $132,900.
• #4 - Harford, CT - 94 job postings per 1,000 people, 9.2% unemployment, median list price of $254,900.
• #5 - Denver, CO - 92 job postings per 1,000 people, 8.7% unemployment, median list price of $250,000.
• #6 - Austin, TX - 90 job postings per 1,000 people, 7.6% unemployment, median list price of $244,900.
• #7 - Boston, MA - 84 job postings per 1,000 people, 7.1% unemployment, median list price of $329,900.
• #8 - Columbus, OH - 81 job postings per 1,000 people, 8.2% unemployment, median list price of $150,000.
• #9 - Phoenix, AZ - 79 job postings per 1,000 people, 9% unemployment, median list price of $144,900.
• #10 - Richmond, VA - 77 job postings per 1,000 people, 7.1% unemployment, median list price of $204,500.