Many buyers are waiting for mortgage rates to drop, but the ultra low 2 to 3% rates we saw in 2020 were an unusual result of the pandemic and are unlikely to become the norm again. While today’s rates may feel high by comparison, they’re much more in line with historical averages. Instead of trying to time the market perfectly, it can make more sense to focus on finding the right home, building equity over time, and refinancing if rates decrease in the future.
Property taxes can vary by thousands of dollars depending on where you live. While some states have annual property tax bills under $1,000, others, like New Jersey, average around $9,400 a year. Lower taxes can be a huge advantage, but it’s also important to consider the public services and amenities those taxes help support when deciding where to call home.
The most expensive ZIP code in the U.S. right now is Fisher Island in Miami Beach, where the median listing price is just under $12 million. Right behind it are Newport Coast at $9.1 million and Bridgehampton at $8.5 million, with California dominating much of the top 10, including Bel Air, Montecito, Beverly Hills, Malibu, and Rancho Santa Fe. The Hamptons are holding strong on the East Coast, proving luxury real estate is thriving on both coasts.
If buying a home has felt tougher lately, you’re not imagining it. A new study ranked the least affordable cities in the world and several U.S. markets topped the list, with San Jose leading the way thanks to strong demand, limited inventory, and sky-high prices. From Los Angeles and San Diego to Boston and New York City, most of these cities are coastal, tech-driven markets where lifestyle appeal and tight housing supply keep values elevated.
Buying a home isn’t equal everywhere — in some states, the income needed to afford a median-priced home is nearly double what households actually earn. From California and New York to Montana and Idaho, affordability gaps are making it much harder for buyers to keep up. It really shows how much location alone can impact your path to homeownership.
The surprise winner is Oregon. With strong career opportunities in tech and health care plus endless outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing, and boating, more people are choosing it for both work and lifestyle. If you’ve been thinking about selling your NJ home, this could be your sign.
You don’t need a six-figure income to buy a home everywhere in the U.S. New Realtor.com data shows 10 cities where households earning under $85,000 can still afford a home — even with today’s rates. The key takeaway? Homeownership isn’t impossible, it’s location-dependent. Where you buy can change your required income by tens of thousands of dollars a year.
Spring is bringing encouraging news for buyers. More cities are shifting into buyer’s market territory, offering more inventory, less competition, and better room to negotiate. And if the South is calling your name, you’re in luck—Sun Belt cities are leading the way where buyers have the most power right now.
Realtor.com just released the 10 hottest ZIP codes of 2025, and homes in these areas are selling fast. From Bexley, OH at $439,000 to Marlton, NJ at $495,000, each market is seeing high demand, but topping the list is Beverly, MA with a median price of $746,000. Homes in these ZIP codes are getting three to five times more views and selling up to 42 days faster than the national average, making them some of the most competitive markets in the country.
The market isn’t the same everywhere—some areas are competitive, others are much quieter. It can even change from one neighborhood to the next, which is why local insight matters more than headlines.
