I can't speak about the other markets, but in Topeka the actual rate of increase has been 4%+/- NOT the 18% stated in the story. I've borrowers, lenders and brokers beat me over the head with these numbers more times than I can count. In the first quarter of 1999 there was significant drop in home sales (weather, major employer closing announcement, whatever). That quarter is the starting point for the analysis which indicated an 18% increase. If the starting point is moved either forward or backward in time one quarter the 18% increase disappears and a 4% - 5% rate of apprreciation is indicated. The real question is what happened in that one quarter.
The moral is don't believe everything you read.