These are the 5 hottest real estate markets in the U.S. (2024)

These are the 5 hottest real estate markets in the U.S. (1)

By Khristopher J. Brooks

/ MoneyWatch

A midsize town in Georgia about 75 minutes by car from Atlanta is the nation's hottest real estate market, as a tide of renters flee pricey cities in search of homes in more affordable places.

That's the takeaway from a new Bankrate analysis of nearly 200 housing markets around the country. The personal finance website ranked the top most attractive and active housing markets and found that Gainesville, Georgia, was No.1. Bankrate based its ranking on factors such as which cities had the strongest job growth, fastest population growth, largest home value appreciation, lowest unemployment rate and highest rate of homes for sale.

Rounding out the top five real estate markets were Knoxville, Tennessee; Fort Myers, Florida; Sarasota, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina. Those cities have become particularly attractive to house hunters who have been priced out of expensive metros, said Bankrate analyst Jeff Ostrowski.

"The momentum in the housing market has shifted to the Sun Belt, and especially to Georgia, the Carolinas and Florida," Ostrowski said in the analysis. "While many parts of the U.S. are experiencing price declines, home values have held steady in the Southeast."

Bankrate said Gainesville ranked No. 1 because homes in the area have appreciated 40% in one year, higher than any other location in the analysis. Jobs and population in the city grew 15%, Bankrate said, citing data from the U.S. Census and U.S. Labor Department.

Home prices in Gainesville remain relatively affordable. The city's median home price is $375,000, compared to the national median of $430,000,according to Realtor.com.

These are the 5 hottest real estate markets in the U.S. (2)

A shortage of homes for sale, high prices and a surge in mortgage rates this year has dented sales this spring. Higher prices have created "a very distorted housing market" that isn't helping buyers or sellers, said economist Peter Boockvar.

"Bottom line — sales of existing homes are near 12-year lows both because of the lack of inventory, but in turn that is helping to maintain the 40% rise in home prices over the past few years," Boockvar said in a research note. "In the face of a doubling of mortgage rates, that then creates the affordability problem for first-time buyers."

Housing sales in Fort Myers have blossomed in part because people from Boston, Chicago, Miami and New York City are relocating in search of more affordable options, said Mike Darda, team principal real estate brokerage Compass. The median home sales price in Fort Myers hit $395,000, according to Redfin.

Sarasota meanwhile has grown into a desirable market because more people are moving there and competing to live in newly built condominiums near the waterfront, one local real estate expert said.

"An increased and consistent stream of tourism has driven this growth, with the strongest demand for real estate coming from pre-retirees who are looking for a second home and retirees who are moving to Sarasota permanently," Chelsa Vahtomin, a senior sales executive at Coldwell Banker, told CBS MoneyWatch.

Khristopher J. Brooks

Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.

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These are the 5 hottest real estate markets in the U.S. (2024)

FAQs

Where is the hottest real estate market in the US? ›

The personal finance website ranked the top most attractive and active housing markets and found that Gainesville, Georgia, was No. 1.

What are the hottest real estate cities in the US? ›

Best Real Estate Markets In The U.S.
  1. Austin, Texas (Metro Area) Median listing price: $620,000. ...
  2. Tampa, Florida. Median listing price: $388,800. ...
  3. Raleigh, North Carolina. Median listing price: $389,000. ...
  4. Nashville, Tennessee (Metro Area) ...
  5. Charlotte, North Carolina. ...
  6. San Antonio, Texas. ...
  7. Phoenix, Arizona. ...
  8. Jacksonville, Florida.
May 1, 2023

What states have the hottest housing markets? ›

Main Findings
RankMSAOverall Score
1Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.38.21
2Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz.36.71
3Austin-Round Rock, Texas36.66
4Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, Wash.36.42
21 more rows
Apr 27, 2023

What is the hottest market in 2023? ›

Charlotte, a 211-mile drive from the sands of the Atlantic Ocean, nabbed the top spot on our list of the hottest housing markets for 2023 due to its forecasted annual home price growth. While considered the hottest market, activity may be less than what buyers and sellers saw in Tampa last year, says Prakash.

Which state in the US has the best housing market? ›

The combination of record-fast home value growth to start the year and a record number of newly built homes increased the total market value of residential real estate in the U.S. in 2022, despite price drops to end the year. California remains untouchable on its perch as the most valuable housing market in the country ...

What is the fastest growing real estate market in the United States? ›

FarmingtonNew Mexico

What city has the hottest real estate market? ›

The hottest housing markets include those markets in North Carolina, Colorado and Texas that were also popular during the pandemic, including Raleigh and Durham, Denver and Austin. Markets to watch that improved the most between November and December 2022 include Portland, Oregon, Richmond, Virginia, and St.

What city has the highest house prices? ›

The Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to Buy Property in the World!
  1. Hong Kong ($1,235,220) ...
  2. Singapore ($874,372) ...
  3. Shanghai ($872,555) ...
  4. Vancouver ($815,322) ...
  5. Shenzen ($680,283) ...
  6. Los Angeles ($679,220) ...
  7. New York ($674,500) ...
  8. London ($646,973)

What town has the most expensive real estate in the US? ›

In raw dollars, Vineyard Haven, Mass., Breckenridge, Colo., and Jackson, Wyo., are the most expensive towns in the U.S. The median home prices in these towns are $699,500, $579,600 and $549,800, respectively.

What states are in a housing crisis? ›

15 States That Could Be Heading for a Housing Crisis
  • New Mexico. % of Mortgages 30-89 days delinquent: 1.2% ...
  • New Jersey. % of Mortgages 30-89 days delinquent: 1.0% ...
  • Georgia. % of Mortgages 30-89 days delinquent: 1.3% ...
  • Maryland. % of Mortgages 30-89 days delinquent: 1.1% ...
  • Florida. ...
  • Alabama. ...
  • Indiana. ...
  • Illinois.
6 days ago

What state sells houses the fastest? ›

California leads the nation for fastest home sales, with the average property snapped up in just 52 days. Compare that to Vermont, the slowest of all 50 states, where it takes nearly half a year — 161 days on average — just to lock down a buyer.

Is Florida a hot real estate market? ›

1. Strong population growth and job market: Florida has strong population growth, particularly in cities like Miami, Orlando, and Tampa. This leads to an increased demand for housing, making it a prime location for real estate investment.

What state has the best housing market 2023? ›

Texas replaced California in 2023 as the strongest housing market by state. With an existing home inventory of 83,222, the available houses for sale have more than doubled since last year. It has seen a drop of about 6% in new construction and is now at 248,648 since 2022.

Where to invest in 2023 recession? ›

Utility stocks, health care stocks and consumer staples stocks are considered defensive investments because their earnings tend to be insulated from economic cycles and swings in consumer confidence. In addition, certain individual stocks have outperformed during each of the past two U.S. recessions.

What markets will boom in 2023? ›

Three Key Sectors in Which to Invest in 2023
  • Consumer staples. ...
  • Precious metals. ...
  • Healthcare.
Jan 12, 2023

What state has the biggest real estate boom? ›

The combination of record-fast home value growth to start the year and a record number of newly built homes increased the total market value of residential real estate in the U.S. in 2022, despite price drops to end the year. California remains untouchable on its perch as the most valuable housing market in the country ...

Where is most affordable housing in us? ›

Here's a look at the most affordable major cities in the country for housing.
  1. Detroit, Michigan. Median monthly housing cost: $755.
  2. El Paso, Texas. Median monthly housing cost: $939. ...
  3. Memphis, Tennessee. ...
  4. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ...
  5. Tucson, Arizona.
  6. Indianapolis, Indiana.
  7. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
  8. Louisville, Kentucky.
Jan 12, 2023

Where to buy cheap houses in USA? ›

10 Cheapest Housing Markets to Buy a House in the US
  • West Virginia. With a Zillow Home Value Index of $146,578, West Virginia is the most affordable state to buy a house in the US. ...
  • Mississippi. ...
  • Arkansas. ...
  • Louisiana. ...
  • Oklahoma. ...
  • Kentucky. ...
  • Iowa. ...
  • Ohio.
May 30, 2023

What type of real estate has the highest return? ›

Commercial real estate is known to yield higher returns than residential real estate. If you can afford to manage a commercial space, it can prove lucrative over time, depending on your area. The value of commercial real estate is determined in part by how much revenue it generates.

What time of year is real estate the hottest? ›

The early days of summer are considered peak real estate season in the U.S., but it's not true in all the areas of the country.

Who sells the most real estate in the US? ›

Here are the top real estate companies in the U.S.:
  • Re/Max.
  • Coldwell Banker Realty.
  • Keller Williams Realty.
  • HomeServices of America and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices.
  • Sotheby's International Realty.
  • Compass.
  • eXp Realty.
  • Douglas Elliman.
Feb 14, 2023

Where real estate prices are cooling the fastest in the US? ›

Home prices in some US cities are finally cooling, with Seattle's housing market slowing faster than any other in the country. The 10 fastest-cooling markets are almost entirely in the West, with Seattle, Las Vegas, and the three California cities of San Jose, San Diego and Sacramento leading the way.

What is the hottest month for real estate? ›

Nationally, the best time to sell a house is March if you're trying to sell quickly, while the best time to maximize profit is July. Zillow recommends listing your home for sale in March, but no later than Labor Day, based on historical market trends.

Where is the hottest real estate in Florida? ›

Where are the hottest real estate markets in Florida? The three most expensive markets in Florida to buy a house at the end of 2022 were Sarasota, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research's Cost of Living Index.

Where is the most expensive place to live? ›

Tied with New York, Singapore often tops the list.

What states have the highest cost of living? ›

States With Highest Cost of Living

The ten states with the highest cost of living are Hawaii, Massachusetts, California, New York, Alaska, Maryland, Oregon, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hawaii is the state with the highest cost of living in the US, with a cost of living index of 184.

Is Florida expensive place to live? ›

Is it expensive to live in Florida? Though the state has long had a reputation for being an inexpensive place to live, housing costs are high. Rents and sale prices are both well above national averages. However, the overall cost of living in the state is about on par with the national average.

Who has the highest property taxes? ›

Texas places four major metros in the top 15, while three New York metros are represented—including Rochester, which has the nation's highest property taxes at a 2.4% effective rate. The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Where are the most luxurious homes in US? ›

The 10 Most Expensive Homes That Sold in 2022, From an NYC Penthouse to a Malibu Mansion
  • Coconut Grove, Miami—$107 Million. ...
  • The Manhattan Co-ops—$101 Million. ...
  • Paradise Cove, Malibu—$100 Million. ...
  • Paradise Cove, Malibu—$91 Million. ...
  • The Hamptons Estate—$84.5 Million. ...
  • Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles—$75 Million.
Jan 14, 2023

What state has the worst housing shortage? ›

Story at a glance

California currently has the largest deficit of homes at 980,000.

Which US cities are in a housing bubble? ›

In the U.S., Miami was the city with the highest risk of a housing bubble and reported the highest house prices and rental growth of all the cities in the study. For the rest of the country, the Magic City was followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and New York.

What state has the most affordable housing right now? ›

Cheapest States To Buy A House
RankStateQ4 2021 All-Transactions House Price Index
1Tennessee310.42
2Illinois280.26
3Oklahoma407.56
4Ohio543.83
16 more rows
May 1, 2023

What style of house sells the best? ›

Colonial. Colonial-style homes have the highest resale factor when all other elements are equal.

What month sells the most houses? ›

Sellers can net thousands of dollars more if they sell during the peak months of May, June and July versus the two slowest months of the year, October and December, according to a 2022 report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

Which housing markets are cooling the fastest? ›

Seattle, San Jose, Austin and Phoenix are among the metros with the fastest-slowing housing markets as high mortgage rates, tech turmoil and the lack of homes for sale deter buyers.

Why are people moving out of Florida? ›

The other reasons that people leave the state after moving here are varied: “A nearly 14,000-member Facebook group for people moving out of Florida has cited severe weather, low wages, crowded beaches, changing politics, and steep housing prices as reasons people left.”

How many realtors quit in 2023? ›

Even in the best of times, only about 10-15% of people who start in real estate will still be in it five years later. If you're an agent who joined the industry in 2021 and you're questioning whether this will be your forever career, it's probably not.

Are Florida house prices dropping? ›

Are home prices in Florida dropping or rising? Over the past few years, home prices in Florida have skyrocketed. Per Redfin data, in the middle of 2020, the median sale price was $275,600 — by April 2023, that figure had jumped to $400,800.

Where is the slowest real estate market? ›

The Bay Area has the worst performing housing market in the nation, according to a new report.

Will there be a housing crisis in 2023? ›

It's also worth noting that while foreclosure rates are up year-over-year, experts do not expect to see a wave of foreclosures in 2023, even where home values are depreciating, as many homeowners have substantial equity due to progressive home price appreciation in recent years.

Will house prices go down in 2023 usa? ›

Although home prices are expected to improve in the second half of the year, the California median home price is projected to decrease by 5.6 percent to $776,600 in 2023, down from the median price of $822,300 recorded in 2022.

Where is your money safest during a recession? ›

Some stock market sectors, like health care and consumer staples, generally perform better than others in a recession. Healthy large cap stocks also tend to hold up relatively well during downturns. Investing in broad funds can help reduce recession risk through diversification.

Is it better to have cash or property in a recession? ›

In addition, during recessions, people with access to cash are in a better position to take advantage of investment opportunities that can significantly improve their finances long-term.

What sells in a recession? ›

Pre-packaged food items, like chips and cookies, offer shelf-stable options to help ensure your stock doesn't go bad as you're building consumer awareness of your expanded offerings. Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, toilet paper, and other grooming and personal care items are always in demand.

Should I move my investments to cash 2023? ›

The answer is no, according to advisors and investment analysts. "Allocating more funds to high-yielding CDs, money market funds, or treasuries may seem prudent; however, this is a form of market timing and should be avoided," explained Jonathan Shenkman of Shenkman Wealth Management.

What will the stock market be by the end of 2023? ›

10% Return for S&P 500 a Real Possibility by End of 2023

And in today's market, with its newfound emphasis on fundamentals, earnings really matter. Short of a recession — a very real possibility — consensus estimates are for about 5% earnings growth for S&P 500 companies in 2023.

What are future market trends 2023? ›

The best marketing strategy in 2023 will be one with integrated video and written content: Pringle adds that websites still need text information but adding video to showcase products (and then having the ability to add to social media) will help marketers expand their reach to a wider audience.

Where have home prices dropped the most in the US? ›

Leading the nation with the largest drop from the 2022 peak is San Francisco, where home prices have fallen nearly 17%.

Where have home prices increased the most in us? ›

Farmington, N.M., has the fastest-rising housing costs in the United States, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) scanning home prices across the nation.

What four cities will have home prices decline? ›

By the fourth quarter of 2024, the firm expects home prices to fall 19% in Austin, 16% in Phoenix, 15% in San Francisco, and 12% in Seattle.

What four cities will have big home declines? ›

In four cities in particular, supply levels are above pre-pandemic levels, the bank said, which will result in greater price declines than the national average. They include: Phoenix, Arizona; San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Austin, Texas.

Will 2023 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Homebuyer.com data analysis indicates that, for first-time home buyers, June 2023 is a good time to buy a house relative to later in the year. This article provides an unbiased look at current mortgage rates, housing market conditions, and market sentiment.

What city are home prices plunging in the US? ›

More On: housing

The largest decrease in home prices will occur in Austin, where values are projected to slump 19% by late 2024 compared to late 2022, according to the note. Prices are expected to sink in Phoenix by 16%, San Francisco by 15% and Seattle by 12%.

Where are home prices most inflated? ›

The most overvalued markets to rent a home are mostly found in California and Florida. You'll pay the most to buy a median-price home versus renting a home in California, as well as MSAs in Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Idaho and Utah.

What states have the highest housing costs? ›

Hawaii. Hawaii is truly a paradise, but it is also the most expensive state in America to live in. The cost of living in Hawaii overall is 86% higher than the national average, and the cost of housing in Hawaii is a jaw-dropping 207% above the national average.

In which states are house prices most overvalued? ›

At a state level, Hawaii, South Carolina and North Carolina were the most overvalued housing markets, Fitch said.

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