Homes in the 10 hottest Zip Codes are selling in a week, three times faster than last year, said Realtor.com.
What is driving demand in the hot spots are relatively affordable asking prices combined with ample space for the money amid sizable populations of high-income millennials and close proximity to local amenities and outdoor activities, the study pointed out.
The feverish activity is happening, said the realtors’ group, with the nation in the middle of one of the hottest housing markets of all time.
Realtor.com home listing views in these most active markers are up 156% year-over-year: 3.9 times higher than June’s national average.
“The rise in remote work has given some buyers more flexibility to live wherever they want, and many are finding larger homes at lower prices, as well as a higher quality of life, in the 2021 Hottest ZIPs,” said Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale.
Affordability loomed large.
For seven of the 10 median asking prices were 27.6%, or $106,000, lower than the national average in June.
Eight of the top 10 saw median listing prices that were lower than in their overall metro areas in June and five ZIPs have asking prices that were at least 20% lower, including: No.1 ZIP 80916 in East Colorado Springs, which is 36% below overall Colorado Springs, along with West Irondequoit (ZIP 14617), 27.9% lower than Rochester, NY; S. Manchester Proper (ZIP 03103), 23.2% lower than the Boston metro area; Brentwood (ZIP 27617), 22.4% lower than Raleigh, NC; and Lincoln Village (ZIP 43228), 21.6% lower than Columbus, Ohio.
Getting more living space for their investments also played into the popularity of the areas with the fastest sales.
“At a median of 1,850 square feet, homes in the hottest ZIPs are 110 square feet larger than the typical US home for sale, and each square foot is priced on average 3.7% lower than in surrounding metro areas,” said the report.
Older millennials have helped drive the boom in the 10.
More than seven out of 10 millennials (73%) aged 35-44 own homes in these areas versus their national average of 57%.
Realtor.com noted half of the top 10 ZIPs have older millennial homeownership rates that beat or meet the national average, including: West Irondequoit (ZIP 14617) at 85.8%, Brentwood (ZIP 27616) at 67.3%, Farmington (ZIP 48336) at 65.7%, Milford (ZIP 01757) at 58.9% and Peabody (ZIP 01960) at 57.9%.
Here are the 10 with highlights from the report:
ZIP 80916 East Colorado Springs, Colo.
ZIP 80916 is located on the east side of town and is home to the Colorado Springs Airport and Peterson Airforce Base. The area is known for its affordable homes, built in the 1970s and 80s, and the quick commute to military bases and defense contractors, such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. In recent years, the ZIP has seen an influx of buyers from California and Texas looking to enjoy the outdoors and take advantage of top-rated schools including Irwin Charter High School, rated eight out of 10 by GreatSchools.org. On the weekend, locals enjoy hiking and rock climbing in places like Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak. Colorado Springs is no stranger to the Hottest ZIPs list, ZIP 80911, also in Colorado Springs, ranked No. 1 in 2020.
ZIP 14617 West Irondequoit, N.Y.
ZIP 14617 is in the northwestern part of the state on Lake Ontario and is part of New York’s third largest metro area. Rochester offers a unique blend of history and innovation: Homes and commercial buildings date back a century or more, while the city’s downtown is undergoing development and revitalization. During COVID, the area drew home buyers from Boston and New York City looking for more affordable real estate. In addition to a great school system, Iroquois Middle School is rated eight out of 10 on GreatSchools.org, and lower cost of living, Rochester offers a family-friendly environment, including more than 3,500 acres of nationally recognized parks, outdoor festivals, amusement parks, baseball games at Frontier Field, the Buffalo Bills’ training camp in the warmer months and nearby ski slopes and sledding hills in the winter. West Irondequoit (ZIP 14617) ranked No. 3 last year.
ZIP 01960 Peabody, Mass.
ZIP 01960 is part of Massachusetts’ North Shore, just 20 miles northeast of Boston. Near major highways like I-95, Peabody offers convenient access to vacation spots along New England’s rocky coastline and into the ski mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. Homes are more affordable compared to Boston proper and its adjacent suburbs. Locals view Peabody as its own city, filled with hotels and restaurants, as well as the Northshore Mall, one of the region’s largest shopping centers. With its abundance of single-level, ranch-style houses, more affordable asking prices, lower taxes and retirement-friendly lifestyle, the area attracts empty nesters looking for homes that will be more manageable in their retirement years. Peabody ranked No. 5 on Realtor.com’s Hottest ZIPs list in 2018.
ZIP 03103 Manchester Proper, N.H.
ZIP 03103 is on the southside of New Hampshire’s most populous city, and offers affordability, a healthy job market and access to outdoor activities such as hiking and skiing. Manchester’s bustling downtown, Elm Street, features a number of restaurants and Manchester’s Verizon Wireless Arena for hockey games and concerts. The city also boasts Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, home to the city’s double A Fisher Cats baseball team. The state has no income or sales tax, and ZIP 03103 boasts more affordable homes than some of the neighboring towns. The area’s biggest employers are Elliot Health Systems, Southern NH University and Catholic Medical Center, but there is also a burgeoning start-up scene. About 20 miles from the Mass. border, Manchester has become a popular destination for Boston commuters looking for affordability and outdoor space, a trend which became even more prevalent during the pandemic.
ZIP 27616 Brentwood, N.C.
ZIP 27616 is centrally located about 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh, Rolesville and Wake Forest. Over the past year, the area has seen an influx of buyers from New York and major metro areas on both coasts who are interested in seeing their dollar go further. The area’s largest employer is Duke University and Health System, but the Research Triangle region is home to a number of local tech companies like SAS Institute and satellite offices for IBM and Cisco Systems. One of the biggest perks of the area is its planned communities, including 5401 North which offers parks, restaurants, schools, shops and community events.
ZIP 43228 Lincoln Village, Ohio
ZIP 43228 is just 10 miles west of downtown Columbus and offers affordable home options for those looking to size up for a growing family, or those sizing down. There are plenty of state and city parks with biking, hiking and walking trails, while the Short North Arts District has lots of restaurants and shopping. Employers range from venture capital firms and startups like Drive Capital and Root Insurance, to well-known names such as Nationwide Insurance and Wendy’s. For those who enjoy sports, there’s Ohio State athletics, the NHL’s Blue Jackets, AAA baseball at Huntington Park and the Columbus Crew soccer team. Schools in the area are rated highly including Columbus Preparatory Academy, rated eight out of 10 by GreatSchools.org. Thanks to its affordability, Columbus has been seeing an influx of people moving from bigger cities like New York City and Chicago.
ZIP 01757 Milford, Mass.
ZIP 01602 is located on the southeast side of Worcester and just an hour outside of Boston, offering quick access to both areas’ large job markets. Although Milford has lost its primary commuter rail access during the pandemic, the ZIP is within 10 minutes of the Mass. Pike, which leads straight into Boston. The area’s largest employer is Dell EMC, but the rise in remote work is making the area a more attractive option for young professionals who don’t need to commute into the city every day. Buyers will find their city-level salaries can purchase a lot more house in Milford, where home prices are not only lower than Boston, but have declined slightly since last year – a rarity in today’s market. And with plenty of hiking and biking trails and breweries like CraftRoots, Milford is attracting younger buyers ready to pursue the full-time hipster lifestyle.
ZIP 03301 Concord Proper, N.H.
ZIP 03301, located in the heart of New Hampshire’s capital city, is the state’s political and cultural center. Its historic downtown boasts two performing arts centers and three museums, including the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, which features interactive space-themed exhibits and a planetarium. With no state income or sales tax, and relatively affordable housing options, Concord is a budget-friendly place to live. Locals enjoy easy access to New Hampshire’s lakes region and the White Mountains for outdoor recreation. The area’s outdoor access and affordability make it attractive to a wide range of demographics. Concord’s largest employers are Concord Hospital and Steeplegate Regional Mall, but the recent boom in remote work has made Concord an even more attractive place to live.
ZIP 48336 Farmington, Mich.
ZIP 48336 is a commuter-friendly town with easy access to Detroit – only 15-20 minutes away by car – and nearby Southfield and Ann Arbor. Farmington is the closest suburban neighborhood to the city where home buyers can still get both land and a substantially sized home (typically between 2,000-3,000 sq ft). In addition to affordability and space, buyers with families are drawn to this “bedroom community” because of its many desirable schools like Farmington High School, rated a seven out of 10 on GreatSchools.org and proximity to universities like Michigan State and several hospitals, as well as community events and outdoor spaces. You can find a good mix of housing styles, sizes and price ranges – there are options for first-time buyers and also those looking for “trophy homes” – and the little downtown area has a small movie theater, shopping and restaurants.
ZIP 37067 Franklin, Tenn.
ZIP 37067 is located just 21 miles from downtown Nashville. It’s an easy drive to Music City’s urban attractions, but the rolling hills, farms, open space and beautiful landscape feel far away. The historic town, which is beloved for its classic Southern charm, hospitality and welcoming community, is just minutes from modern amenities like Whole Foods Market and LifeTime Fitness. The downtown Main Street boasts annual family festivals and boutique shopping. With some of the best public schools in Tennessee, including Grassland Middle School and Moore Elementary School, both rated nine out of 10 on GreatSchools.org, and a significantly lower cost of living than the national average, Williamson County has seen an influx of residents looking to flee more crowded and expensive areas during the pandemic.