If you are looking to buy a home for your primary residence or an investment property, 2023 is the year you begin your search for a home. With the closing of the COVID virus on the horizon, prices and inventory shortages are expected to start to ease this year. In conjunction with the exponential growth of permanent remote work possibilities, New locations are poised to be dubbed the following desirable real estate markets post-COVID America as zoom towns’ popularity continues to grow.

We now know that certain aspects of the workforce could be productive remotely; those who work from home might consider establishing their roots in areas that make their money go further. Why pay the city’s prices when you do not have to live in a town to commute to work? Analysts from the industry forecast that the home markets in the Sun Belt will be the most competitive in 2023. That encompasses Tampa, Jacksonville, Raleigh, San Antonio and Charlotte.

Alongside the abovementioned areas, you can expect other metropolitan areas to grow in 2023 because of a rising desire to relocate and work from anywhere.

What is it that makes an area the “Best” in the Real Estate Market?

Below is the list of cities that are among the most desirable real estate markets for 2023 for homeowners and investors. The cities listed below have been featured in news reports as “hot” markets due to the increase in home prices beating national averages and analysts’ expectations last year. Rising home prices mean that if you decide to buy (or make an investment) within one of the regions, the value of your home and home equity will increase as the city’s population grows.

But that’s not all. Although “best” is an individual choice in Mortgage (r), the best place to buy a home must include three factors: affordability, job prospects and things to do. (Great weather is alright also!) The cities listed below need to be ranked; however, they meet the three criteria.

While current market trends are affected by the effects of COVID-19 however, these cities are among the top areas for real estate investment because of constant population and economic growth. The information contained in this article is derived from several sources, including the Rocket Homes(sm) trends reports.

The Best Real Estate Markets In The U.S.

Austin, Texas (Metro Area)

• Median listing price: $620,000
• Time on the market: 46 days
• Home value increases (over levels pre-pandemic):4%

Although Austin may not be as famous compared to New York, San Francisco or Los Angeles, it does provide all these “big city” facilities that buyers could need and a warm climate. Austin is becoming an essential Southern city home to large tech firms like Oracle, Google and Tesla. This year, Austin now ranks as the most productive large jobs sector since the start of this pandemic.

Analysts believe Austin will remain the top market by 202 and beyond solely on population growth. Austin, Texas, is still experiencing record expansion, with Austin; the Housing and Planning department anticipates the metropolitan area to grow by 2% each the next year to 2050.

Tampa, Florida

• Median listing price: $388,800
• Time on the market: 40 days
• Home value rise (over prior pandemics levels): 4%

Any city in Florida is a good option for those who want to attain the dream of homeownership (Orlando and Jacksonville were also seeing strong growth in 202). However, Tampa is at the top of the list due to the number of jobs achieved this year. Tampa Bay is one of the most booming areas in Florida. Tampa Bay area has added more than 84,000 jobs since 2021, fueling the massive need for homes.

Tampa Bay is a popular tourist destination. Tampa Bay also boasts proximity to beaches and year-round mild weather (with temperatures reaching the high 60s and 70s during winter). Many tourist attractions include Busch Gardens, a zoo and aquarium, and The Tampa Riverwalk.

Florida also offers no income tax for state residents meaning that residents can take home more dollars every year.

Raleigh, North Carolina

• Median listing price: $389,000
• Time on Market: 50 days
• Home value rise (over levels before the pandemic): 4%

More than 1.4 million residents reside in the “Triangle” region their residence, with the population continuing to increase in the coming fifteen years. Due to the attractive, well-paying jobs in science, tech and research, Raleigh-Durham is an attractive market for investors looking to take on the luxury rental market.

For those who do not want to miss extensive city amenities and activities to see and do, Raleigh has a rich cultural center of the State of North Carolina, with art, sciences, history, and a children’s museum. Nature lovers can visit The William B. Umstead State Park and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail from the Raleigh city center.

Nashville, Tennessee (Metro Area)

• Median listing price: $429,900
• Time on the market: 26 days
• Home value rise (over levels before the pandemic): 7%

In the past couple of years, Nashville has been a part of the top 10 metropolitan areas for employment and economic growth. It is known as having jobs in a wide range of sectors, from healthcare, music and tourism to manufacturing. Nashville is currently recognized as the second most populated jobs market in the country, after Austin, Texas.

Besides job possibilities, Nashville is known for its excellent restaurants and entertainment, music scene and nightlife. Nashville is also among the most rapidly growing areas of young people, and the costs of living are lower because Tennessee not being a state with no income tax.

Charlotte, North Carolina

• Median listing price: $385,000
• Time on Market:35

Charlotte is still one of the best places to live in North Carolina, with access to beaches and mountains. Charlotte is a great place to live. The cost of living within Charlotte is five per cent less than the national average, which allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy this state in all its splendor. Charlotte is also seeing jobs increase, with the forecast of a 45.2 per cent increase anticipated in the next ten years. Companies with the highest percentage of their headquarters in Charlotte include Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Amazon, LendingTree and many more.

San Antonio, Texas

• Median listing price: $285,000
• Time on the market:55 days

San Antonio is currently a buyers’ market, so if you’re considering becoming a homeowner in one of the most desirable cities in Texas, the present is the right time. The city is also full of activities for the kids and a rich history to take in. San Antonio is rich in Spanish and Old West heritage, as it is known as the city home to the Alamo. With more than 300 sunshine days a calendar year, San Antonio residents can anticipate unendingly warm and pleasant weather.

According to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau, San Antonio is the eighth-fastest growing metropolitan area. The state is also experiencing an increase in six-figure job opportunities in jobs in the San Antonio – New Braunfels metro region.

Phoenix, Arizona

• Median listing price: $459,000
• Time on the market: 35 days
• Home value rise (over the pre-pandemic level): 30%

Phoenix home values have increased by an incredible amount in the past year, reaching 30 per cent. This is because of the sudden surge of homebuyers who are remote workers or retirees looking for more space to spend the cash. Although home prices are above the average for the country and information from PayScale illustrates that the average cost of living in Phoenix is 5 per cent lower than the average, your money is going further.

A jump of six figures in the price of homes is enough to place Phoenix in the top tier of “hottest” real property markets; however, the biggest city in Arizona has plenty to offer its residents. With the growth of tech job opportunities (Amazon, Uber, Shutterfly and Yelp have offices in Phoenix) as well as over 200 golf courses along with nightlife and restaurants, it’s clear why people are drawn to Phoenix.

Jacksonville, Florida

• Median listing price: $289,900
• Time on the market: 42 days
• Home value increases (over the pre-pandemic level): 5%

Jacksonville, Florida, may not sound like a bell when you think of a “major metropolis.” Still, Jacksonville is one of the fastest-growing economies in the United States, with more than one million people within the metropolitan region. Jacksonville’s rise is due to its high employment growth, which is why employment opportunities increase monthly.

Jacksonville is also highly affordable, with the current Jacksonville price of life being 5% less than the national average, and the highest median price for homes is well below the national average. In this region, the median cost per square foot for an average three-bedroom, two-bathroom single-family residence is just a comfortable $182 per sq ft.

Atlanta, Georgia

• Median listing price: $400,000
• Time on the market: 41

As Georgia’s cultural and economic capital, Atlanta continues to expand each year, bringing in more and many people to the city. With the cost of living in Atlanta at a mere 1% lower than the average for all of America, Atlanta residents can expect numerous job opportunities across many different industries (financial and medical, real estate, etc.). Additionally, several Fortune 500 companies call this city home, such as The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines and many more.

Orlando, Florida

• Median listing price: $350,000
• Time on the market: 39

The cost of living within Orlando is 5 percent lower than the average for the nation; this city has been ranked among the top areas in Florida. Orlando is also among the top tourist destinations in The U.S., with temperatures rarely below 60 degrees. The city’s residents do not have to pay sales or personal tax on income, which could make it easier for people to save dollars year after year.

Even though Orlando is known for its theme parks, getting your little nook of sunshine is easy to find with more than 100 lakes that are less than an hour’s drive (not to mention the sprawling shopping centers and golf courses).

The Facts: Home Buying In The Hottest Real Estate Markets

Analysts from the industry believe that higher rates on loans could deter homeowners from taking part in a refinance of their Mortgage; however, there will be a rise in the number of home buyers all around. Due to this, first-time buyers, in particular, need to learn the nuances of buying an apartment in a fiercely competitive market.

One of the most important (and the simplest) ways to get started on your journey to homeownership is to apply for an mortgage. This can assist you in getting an agent and moving quickly once you have found the house you’ve always wanted.