15615 June Washam Road, Davidson sold for $1.145 million

According to the new December Case Shiller Home Price Index, single-family home prices rose by 6.3 percent in 2017 with Seattle and Las Vegas leading the way.

Seattle prices rose at a shocking 12.7 percent last year; Las Vegas, 11.1 percent. Charlotte prices rose at the rate of 5.9 percent last year, which is just fine, thank you, according to real estate experts.

2463 Christenbury Hall Court NW, Concord sold for $680,000

The steady-Eddie nature of the market, with a combination of close-in properties and suburbs, as well as ongoing in-migration and income growth, make for a healthy market—that’s not way too healthy.

Rapid price increases quickly make homes unaffordable, which comes back and bites big employers.

Low inventory helps underpin prices, while suburban land outside Charlotte and high-rises inside Charlotte provide an escape valve.

This property at 19824 Shearwater Point, Cornelius sold for $1.02 million

​Zillow says 52.6 percent of all homes nationwide worth as much or more than they were at the peak of the housing boom in 2007.

The online real estate database company forecasts Charlotte will be one of the hot markets in 2018, based on strong income and population growth.​ At the same time, there are more jobs.

Zillow forecasts a 4 percent price gain in residential properties this year, compared to 8.9 percent in San Jose and 4.7 percent in Dallas.

“We in the Charlotte region have traditionally been insulated from market highs and lows due to the economic vitality of our region, the immigration and affordability,” said Stephanie Gossett, regional vice president for Allen Tate, based in Lake Norman. “Even with low inventory pushing on appreciation, this latest report tells us we continue to see sustainable appreciation, which signifies a strong backbone in our real estate market that can withstand outside pressures.”