Nationwide, housing and economic activity is 86 percent back to normal, based on current permits, prices, and employment data.

In fact, more than 35 percent of all markets tracked by The National Association of Home Builders Leading Market Index are operating at 90 percent or better of their previous normal. The index tracks 350 metro areas across the country and identifies those that are now approaching or exceeding their previous norms. According to the most recent release, 56 out of those 350 have returned to or surpassed their normal levels of economic and housing activity. And nearly half of the improved markets are areas with populations less than 500,000.

David Crowe, NAHB's chief economist, said 45 percent of metro areas are recovering at a faster pace than the nation as a whole, with smaller markets leading the way. The results are a good sign that the housing recovery's progress will continue in 2014.

Here in the Taos and Angel Fire real estate markets we're getting lots of calls and leads from national websites for buyers looking for condos and vacation homes, and even land is making a comeback. It's early in the year to be getting so many inquiries because our selling season doesn't catch fire until late April. Get in while the getting's good.