The overall residential housing market is heating up this summer, but a markets in a few cities across the country are in a league of their own, notes Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com®’s chief economist.

Realtor.com®’s research team identified the hottest markets by factoring in which ones had the most views per listing on its website and saw the quickest inventory movement. In these markets, homes are selling 20 to 38 days faster than the rest of the U.S.

Once again, California dominates this month’s list, but eight other states are also represented (Texas, Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Washington, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire). Seasonality is a big factor in this month’s rankings, Smoke notes.

Every month RE/MAX researches 53 major metropolitan markets and analyzes the data to get a pulse on the US housing market. Here’s a short video with some highlights from this month’s report. To view past months’ videos or catch up anytime, visit my YouTube channel.

Officials from mortgage giant Freddie Mac have made a bold prediction: This year housing starts and home prices will reach their highest levels since 2006.

The main reasons behind its bullish forecast is low mortgage rates, an improving job market, and a gradual increase in housing supply.

“Housing markets are poised for their best year in a decade,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “In our latest forecast, total home sales, housing starts, and home prices will reach their highest levels since 2006.”

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