It has been a rough year for real estate to say the least — home prices are down across the board and foreclosures are beginning to increase significantly because of the volatile United States economy.

The good news is that certain areas throughout the nation are weathering the storm quite well. In fact, a recent Kiplinger.com report indicates that “damage has been minimal — if nonexistent — in certain pockets across the country.”

Six cities, in particular, were highlighted in the study:

• Lancaster, Penn.
• Clarksville, Tenn.
• Albuquerque, N.M.
• Burlington, Vermont
• Pittsburgh, Penn.
• Johnson City, Tenn.

Fiserv Lending Solutions — a home-price research company — was the source for the data. It indicated that these areas experienced slow and steady growth, as well as kept unemployment and foreclosure rates below average.

Of course, this is just a sample list — there are likely numerous other cities, towns and regions that are not feeling the pinch as much as the rest. And over time that list will grow as things begin to turnaround and return to normal.

Let’s just hope that happens sooner rather than later.