Oklahoma City real estate expert, Faith Thomason, reports that its good news for the region. She says, "As the rest of the country sees huge declines in home values, the metro is still holding as one of the strongest housing markets in the entire United States. With record low interest rates and local lending institutions lending freely to those who qualify, Oklahoma City should ride out the economic storm beautifully."

Forbes magazine, according to Thomason, has projected just a 2.8 percent drop in home values this year. And she says Forbes ranks Oklahoma City among the nation's Top 25 strongest housing markets despite the slowdown and recent price weakening.

It's the second time in less than a year that Forbes magazine, she says, has spotlighted Oklahoma for economic strength.