A record high 32.4% of Redfin.com house hunters eyed a move to a different metro area in January 2022, up from 31.5% in the first quarter of 2021 and significantly higher than just a quarter of migrating respondents pre-pandemic. Remote work opportunities and low mortgage rates have opened a door to affordability for many Americans, allowing movers to compete for homes in regional markets where they may not have considered living just two years ago.
As mortgage rates steadily rise and rental prices reach unprecedented highs, Americans with constricted budgets will be more inclined to relocate in the coming months to secure affordable housing before being entirely priced out of heated market. Miami saw the largest share of new arrivals in 2021, followed by popular metros like Phoenix and Tampa, where warmer weather and comparative affordability are attracting droves of remote workers from pricey northern markets.
“While Sun Belt cities like Miami and Phoenix aren’t likely to lose their luster anytime soon, rising prices may soon render them slightly less popular for relocators,” [Daryl] Fairweather said. “Home prices–and the costs of other goods and services–are skyrocketing in a lot of these destinations precisely because they’re so popular with out-of-towners. Some homebuyers who prioritize affordability may start searching in less expensive northern cities.”
Advertisement
Related Stories
Housing Markets
Metros Where Housing Prices Have Doubled in Less Than 10 Years
Historical data show it's taken less than 10 years for home prices to double in 68 of the country’s 100 largest cities
Affordability
The Disappearing Act That Is Middle-Income Housing
An expert weighs in on the diminishing supply of middle-income housing, which is particularly acute in California, and what to do about it
Market Data + Trends
A Look at Homeownership Rates Across the Nation
Data for homeownership rates in the 100 largest US cities show Port St. Lucie, Fla., in the top spot, while West Virginia is the state with the most homeowners