The list of housing markets with measurable improvement nearly doubled in January, with 40 new metros added to the National Assn. of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today. The index identifies metro areas with improvements in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months.

Single-family housing starts rose 3.9 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 430,000 units in October, according to newly released data from the U.S. Commerce Dept.