After a year of record-breaking home sales in 2020, the U.S. housing market is continuing to heat up as we enter the traditional homebuying season in April. The months between March and August typically account for 56% of existing home sales. So, if you're in the market for a new home, now is the time to start your search.
Manchester-Nashua Tops the List
Reclaiming the top spot as the hottest housing market in the country is the Manchester-Nashua metro area in New Hampshire. Located just 46 miles from Boston, this area saw half of all homes sell in under 19 days in March. That's 10 days faster than last year and 35 days faster than the average in the rest of the country. [^1^]
Image: A family with children shakes hands with a real estate agent in front of a house.
Concord, New Hampshire is the Runner-Up
The second-hottest market is also in New Hampshire, with Concord taking the title. Homes in this area spent just 20 days on the market on average. What's more, both Manchester-Nashua and Concord offer an affordable alternative to nearby Boston, where median listing prices were hovering around $700,000 in March. It's no wonder that Boston accounted for about 50% of views coming into these New Hampshire metro areas. [^1^]
A Look at the Top 20 Markets
Here's a quick overview of the top 20 hottest housing markets in the United States as of March 2021:
1. Manchester-Nashua metro area, New Hampshire
- Viewers per property: 3.02
- Days on market: 19
- Median price: $420,000
2. Concord, New Hampshire
- Viewers per property: 4.10
- Days on market: 20
- Median home price: $362,000
3. Vallejo-Fairfield, California
- Viewers per property: 1.83
- Days on market: 11
- Median home price: $550,000
4. Burlington, North Carolina
- Viewers per property: 2.29
- Days on market: 21
- Median home price: $302,000
5. Springfield, Ohio
- Viewers per property: 3.17
- Days on market: 26
- Median home price: $145,000
6. Lafayette-West Lafayette, Indiana
- Viewers per property: 2.12
- Days on market: 26
- Median home price: $297,000
7. Yuba City, California
- Viewers per property: 2.20
- Days on market: 27
- Median home price: $427,000
8. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California
- Viewers per property: 1.68
- Days on market: 20
- Median home price: $1,222,000
9. Stockton-Lodi, California
- Viewers per property: 1.54
- Days on market: 17
- Median home price: $468,000
10. Spokane-Spokane Valley, Washington
- Viewers per property: 1.59
- Days on market: 19
- Median home price: $435,000
And more...
To see the full list of the top 20 hottest housing markets and their respective viewership per property, days on the market, and median home prices, check out the original article here.
Why Are These Markets So Hot?
According to Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com, metro areas in New Hampshire are attracting buyers because they offer the best of both worlds - the charm of small towns and easy access to the big city. With the flexibility to work remotely, people are more willing to explore areas that are not too far from city centers. The hope is that remote work will continue to be an option in the future, making these areas even more appealing for homeowners. [^1^]
Final Thoughts
If you're in the market for a new home, be prepared for a tough real estate market. However, as more sellers come into the picture, there will be more options for buyers who have been frustrated with the lack of available homes. Whether you're looking for a cozy home in New Hampshire or a sunny abode in California, these top 20 housing markets offer great opportunities for homebuyers.
Good luck with your home search!
Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is the Housing and Economy reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on Twitter @SwapnaVenugopal
