A lot of what home buyers want is predictable. It doesn't change much from year to year. Affordability, for example, is always a top priority for buyers. Everybody wants a good home that doesn't break their budget. So it's no surprise to find affordable markets topping a recent list of the country's hottest ZIP codes. The list, released by the National Association of Realtors' consumer website, found the country's hottest markets concentrated in the Midwest and Northeast. In other words, markets where there are affordable homes for sale. They're also in areas just outside major metropolitan areas.
That, according to the website's chief economist, Danielle Hale, is a more recent development. “As many companies continue to call employees back to the office, we're seeing a surge in home shoppers who are seeking a desirable combination of cost and convenience within commuting distance of major metropolitan areas,” Hale said. Commuting distance was low priority for home buyers during the pandemic when many transitioned to remote work. Now, it appears, commutes are becoming a factor once again, as buyers hunt for homes with a combination of affordability and convenience.
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