Buy, sell or hold seems to be the biggest worry of homebuyers and real estate investors in the 2006 residential real estate market. After solid double-digit appreciation in many major markets in the last five years, investors and homebuyers alike see the brakes on growth in 2006. Where to go? Mark Nash real estate author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home lays out where investors and homebuyers can make a go at it in 2006.

• Atlanta, Georgia. Below average appreciation rates that have not matched other major markets.
• Austin, Texas. Good news here, affordable housing prices attracting employers. Rising appreciation.
• Boise, Idaho. New on real estate investor’s radar, attracting scores of out-of-state buyers. Good profit prospects.
• Dallas, Texas. Prices creeping upward, fueling investor interest.
• Houston, Texas. Demand from Katrina transplants driving a strong market.
• Las Vegas, Nevada. Market returning to normal appreciation rates, demand stays steady.
• Phoenix, Arizona. Ignored in the boom, now being discovered by investors. Most cities here are bargain-priced.
• San Antonio, Texas. Waking from a stagnant appreciation period. Good returns projected here.
• Seattle, Washington. Good economy and low inventories offer attractive appreciation gains in 2006.
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Solid Midwestern values speculate-proof this burgeoning market.
• By Mark Nash