Despite the economy, a new forecast predicts Wichita Falls will be one of the top home markets in the country this year.

Analysts at Local Market Monitor named Wichita Falls as one of the top markets with the best expected performance in home price. This study identifies markets where home prices will continue to drop as well as stable markets with opportunities for growth. Wichita Falls is one of five Texas markets that made the top ten best list.

"We know the Texas economy has been stronger and better in housing sector than other parts of the U-S through all of this upheaval," said local realtor Denny Bishop.

Arlington, Irving, San Antionio and Houston also made the list of what are expected to be the top ten performing housing markets. The study identified home markets where residential values are expected to remain level, did not see a housing boom and have had modest employment declines. Our stability is what local real estate agent Denny Bishop contributes to Wichita Falls' high ranks.

"When everyone else was going off the board upward, we were making our slow incremental increase and then when it came time to go down we just didn't reverse thrust that fast," he said.

While Wichita Falls barely made the list at number ten, Bishop says it could still mean big things for our community.

"There is awfully stiff competition in the U.S. And to think we're in the top ten of anything is great," Bishop Said.

Markets with the best expected performance in home price are:

1.  Baton Rouge, LA

2.  Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY

3.  Dallas-Plano- Irving, TX

4.  Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

5.  Houston-Sugar Land- Baytown, TX

6.  Little Rock- North Little Rock- Conway, AR

7.  Omaha- Council Bluffs, NE-IA

8.  Pittsburgh, PA

9.  San Antonio, TX

10.  Syracuse, NY

11. Wichita Falls, TX

The 10 largest markets with the worst expected performance in home price are:

1.  Fresno, CA

2.  Las Vegas- Paradise, NV

3.  Miami-Miami Beach- Kendall, FL

4.  Orlando- Kissimmee, FL

5.  Phoenix- Mesa- Scottsdale, AZ

6.  Portland- Vancouver- Beaverton, OR-WA

7.  San Jose- Sunnyvale- Santa CLara, CA

8.  Stockton, CA

9.  Tacoma, WA

10.  Tucson, AZ

11. West Palm Beach- Boca Raton- Boynton Beach, FL

SOURCE: Local Market Monitor