Greenville News - The Charleston, Myrtle Beach and Greenville metropolitan areas are expected to be among the nation's " front-runners " in the housing recovery this year, according to a trade magazine report.

Builders magazine's online version ranked Charleston 5th, Myrtle Beach 15th and Greenville 19th in its listing of top 20 healthiest markets in the nation. The rankings were based on building permits, resale values and job and income growth from 2009 data and 2010 projections. 

Mark Nix, executive officer of the Home Builders of South Carolina, said getting people happy and thriving is tied to jobs, quality of life and affordable housing. Charleston has done a good job at bringing jobs to the market. For example the new Boeing 787 plant in North Charleston.   

CNBC reports that baby bommers are willing to move farther than previous generations and choosing places unlike stereotypical retirement hotspots.

Top places listed bt AARP are:

1. Loveland/Ft. Collins, Colorado

2. Las Cruces, New Mexico

3. Rehoboth Beach, Deleware

4. Portland, Oregon

5. Greenville, South Carolina*

6. Sarasota, Florida

7. Ann Arbor, Michigan

8. Tucson, Arizona

9. Montpelier, Vermont

10. Honolulu, Hi.

11. Santa Fe, New Mexico

12. Atlanta, Ga.

13. CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA* 

First-time home buyers not only account for the largest share of home sales in many markets, but represent the fastest-growing segment of home sales in nearly half of those markets, brokers surveyed by Inman News report.

Second homes and move-up homes, on the other hand, are the most rapidly shrinking segment of their business, brokers responding to the survey said.

Homes sold to first-time buyers made up the largest share of home sales for 37% of brokers.