Columbus

With its market in the doldrums, the Columbus Board of Realtors launched a campaign earlier this year to let home buyers know that "the grass is greener here."

After all, they point out, the housing market should be put in perspective.

"We're a stable market," says Greg Hrabcak, president of the Columbus Board of Realtors. "And we're affordable."

Columbus is home to Ohio State University and Ohio state government. It's also the headquarters of Nationwide Insurance and Limited Brands.

In the second quarter, the Columbus metro area added 1,600 jobs -- a 0.2% increase at a time when the national employment rate fell 0.1%.

Last year, Forbes.com said Columbus was the third-most stable city in the nation, after Seattle and Pittsburgh. Despite the good rating, Forbes noted that of 40 markets, Columbus was also the 17th worst market for mortgage delinquencies.

It's no ...