1. Charlotte, North Carolina
In considering both quantitative and qualitative factors, one city that recurred on several lists was Charlotte, NC. It thus merits mention as an appealing destination for real estate investors.
Charlotte ranked third on both the Realtor.com and RealWealth Network’s 2021 nationwide studies. It also finished fifth on ULI’s 2021 review, giving it a strong presence in multiple authoritative analyses.
Top U.S. Housing Markets For Affordability
With housing prices rising quickly, many buyers are scrambling to secure affordable properties. Rapid price appreciation can cause prices to quickly soar out of a buyer’s reach.
This is particularly true of first-time home shoppers seeking affordability. Using Realtor.com data, trustworthy sources such as CNBC and Business Insider took a close look at affordable housing markets for 2021. Here are the top five picks.
5. Bloomington, Illinois
About halfway between Chicago and St. Louis, Bloomington is the twin city of Normal, IL. Together, they have a combined population of about 130,000 people.
Bloomington soared its way to the top of 2021’s best markets for first-time home buyers. It features affordable home prices, relatively high inventory, and a rapidly growing population of young homeowners.
4. Iowa City, Iowa
Home of the University of Iowa, Iowa City is a historic, peaceful destination. The municipality of about 75,000 is recognized as a City of Literature by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
In mid-2021, Realtor.com listed the median home price in Iowa City at around $275,000. This placed the appealing city well below the nationwide average of $385,000.