The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (2024)

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Zillow Research has found the top metros that offer the best of both worlds: affordable housing options and a community of peers

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  • Zillow Research

First-time home buyers had a standout year in 2023, representing the largest share of total home purchases in recent history. A new Zillow® analysis has unveiled this year’s prime markets for first-time home buyers, where their dollars go further and starter homes are relatively plentiful.

Zillow’s ranking of the best markets for first-time buyers is based on rent affordability (how much of their income a typical household puts toward rent), the share of for-sale listings a typical household can comfortably afford, how stiff the competition is expected to be for those affordable listings, and how many similar-age households¹ live in the area.

Join us on a tour of the top 10 markets that give aspiring first-time home buyers the best opportunity to break through — half of which are nestled in the heart of the Midwest.

1. St Louis

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (1)

▪️ Known for the world’s tallest arch, the Gateway Arch
▪️ Rent affordability: 19.9%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 66.7%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 3.4
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 26.0%

3. Minneapolis

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (2)

▪️ Known as the “City of Lakes” and home to Mall of America
▪️ Rent affordability: 19.8%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 48.4%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 2.5
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 28.1%

5. Austin

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (3)

▪️ Texas’ state capital, famous for its delectable barbecue
▪️ Rent affordability: 20.3%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 23.0%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 1.3
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 33.6%

7. San Antonio

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (4)

▪️ Acclaimed for its picturesque River Walk and the historic landmark, the Alamo
▪️ Rent affordability: 22.6%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 32.8%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 2.6
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 30.6%

9. Kansas City

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (5)

▪️ The largest city in Missouri, boasting back-to-back Super Bowl champions the Chiefs
▪️ Rent affordability: 21.0%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 50.6%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 2.2
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 27.2%

2. Detroit

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (6)

▪️ The automotive capital of the world. home to iconic car manufacturers
▪️ Rent affordability: 21.5%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 63.6%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 4.0
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 24.3%

4. Indianapolis

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (7)

▪️ The state capital and site of the prestigious Indy 500 auto race
▪️ Rent affordability: 22.0%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 50.4%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 2.6
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 28.9%

6. Pittsburgh

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (8)

▪️ “The Steel City,” pivotal in shaping the US steel industry
▪️ Rent affordability: 21.9%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 62.9%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 3.7
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 24.4%

8. Birmingham

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (9)

▪️ “The Magic City” home to all three essential elements for iron production
▪️ Rent affordability: 22.4%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 47.5%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 4.2%
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 25.3%

10. Baltimore

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (10)

▪️ Famous for its seafood delights, harvested fresh from the Chesapeake Bay
▪️ Rent affordability: 22.2%
▪️ Share of affordable listings: 56.4%
▪️ Affordable listings per 100 renters: 2.3
▪️ Share of similar-age households: 27.1%

First-time buyer tips and tricks

Zillow has gathered tools on one easy-to-navigate web page to help aspiring first-time buyers make the leap to homeownership, from getting finances in tip-top shape to hiring the right real estate agent who can help a buyer win a home.

Zillow’s affordability calculator can help buyers understand their price range, including some of the hidden costs of homeownership that are often overlooked.

It’s important for first-time buyers to understand how their credit score can impact their loan options and costs. A top loan officer can help a buyer understand all of their options, like whether “paying points”or an adjustable rate mortgage might make sense for a buyer’s specific financial situation.

Renters who pay their landlords through ZIllow can now help build or enhance their credit history by opting in to rent payment reporting, with on-time payments reported to a major national credit bureau.
A down payment is often the biggest financial hurdle for a first-time buyer. Those without enough saved for a 20% down payment shouldn’t fret — nearly half of buyers put down less than 20%. Zillow displays down payment assistance programs a buyer may be eligible for on all for-sale listings.

¹ Ages 29–43. Zillow Research shows nearly half of first-time buyers are in this age range.

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024 (2024)

FAQs

The best markets for first-time home buyers in 2024? ›

Many prospective homebuyers chose to wait things out in 2023, in the hopes that 2024 would bring a more advantageous market. But so far, with mortgage interest rates still relatively high and housing inventory stubbornly low, it looks like 2024 will remain a challenging time to buy a house.

Is 2024 a good year to buy a home? ›

Many prospective homebuyers chose to wait things out in 2023, in the hopes that 2024 would bring a more advantageous market. But so far, with mortgage interest rates still relatively high and housing inventory stubbornly low, it looks like 2024 will remain a challenging time to buy a house.

What is the market prediction for 2024? ›

Analysts project 11.5% earnings growth and 5.5% revenue growth for S&P 500 companies in 2024. Fortunately, analysts see positive earnings and revenue growth for all eleven market sectors this year.

What are the most popular markets in Zillow 2024? ›

The Great Lakes region and the Midwest, specifically, are poised to lead the way in 2024. Top markets in Zillow's hottest markets of 2024 include places like Buffalo, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Providence. Expect (slightly) more choices for buyers and higher sales volume in most markets.

Should I sell now or wait until 2024? ›

Best Time to Sell Your House for a Higher Price

April, June, and July are the best months to sell your house in California. The median sale price of houses in June 2023, was $796,400, which is expected to grow more in 2024. However, cities like Arcadia and San Mateo follow an upward trend throughout the year.

Will US house prices go down in 2024? ›

While it's a bummer of an answer, experts say it's unlikely consumers will see house prices drop meaningfully during 2024. Home prices will drop when a mixture of economic factors favorably collide — primarily lower interest rates and increased housing supply.

Will mortgage rates drop in 2024? ›

Mortgage rate predictions 2024

The MBA's forecast suggests that 30-year mortgage rates will fall into the 6.5% to 6.9% range throughout the rest of 2024, and NAR is predicting a similar trajectory. But Fannie Mae thinks rates could stay in the low 7% range this year.

Will 2024 be a better year to buy? ›

In 2024, homebuyers can expect high home prices and slightly lower mortgage rates later in the year. Hopeful buyers should start preparing as early as possible by saving money and improving their credit. Look into affordable mortgage programs and down payment assistance to boost affordability.

Will 2024 be a bull or bear market? ›

The S&P 500 soared throughout the year and finally reached a new high in January 2024, making the new bull market official. The onset of a new bull market has historically been a very reliable stock market indicator.

What is the best investment in 2024? ›

5 Best long term investments
Investment vehicleRecommended provider
1. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing Platform
2. Dividend StocksM1 Finance
3. Short-term BondsPublic App
4. Real EstateRealtyMogul
1 more row
May 27, 2024

What is the hottest housing market for 2024? ›

The Spring 2024 Wall Street Journal/Realtor.com Housing Market Ranking
RankMetroMedian Home Listing Price March 2024
1Rockford, Ill.$235,000
2Canton-Massillon, Ohio$248,000
3Ann Arbor, Mich$525,000
4Akron, Ohio$212,500
16 more rows
Apr 25, 2024

What is the hottest real estate market right now? ›

Key Takeaways:
  • While the 20 top hottest housing markets are again located in Colorado, North Carolina, Florida and Texas, they're also located in Tennessee, Oregon, Georgia and Arizona. ...
  • Markets to watch that improved the most between June and December 2023 include Cleveland, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Detroit.
Feb 12, 2024

What state has the hottest real estate market right now? ›

States With the Hottest Real Estate Markets
  • Rhode Island. 91.7.
  • Connecticut. 87.5.
  • Massachusetts. 86.7.
  • New Jersey. 85.4.
  • Virginia. 77.1.
  • Maine. 76.7.
  • Vermont. 75.0.
  • California. 74.6.
Feb 22, 2024

Will 2024 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Mortgage rates are expected to come down in 2024, and inventory and home sales are likely to increase. Homebuyers and sellers can also expect prices to continue to rise, albeit at a slower clip than the past couple of years.

Should I buy a house now or wait for a recession? ›

If your credit score is strong, your employment is stable and you have enough savings to cover a down payment and closing costs, buying now might still be smart. If your personal finances are not ideal at the moment, or if home values in your area are on the decline, it might be better to wait.

What is the best month to sell a house? ›

Here's how each month of the year ranked for the best time to sell a house. The highest-earning months are, in ranking order, May, June, April and March. Just over 18 million purchase transactions took place during this period, according to ATTOM.

Is 2024 a good year? ›

Outlook: 2024 is a good year, but you should ensure that you take good care of your health and emotional well-being. Advice: Maintain an active lifestyle and avoid ignoring your health. Oftentimes in life, what is easy to do is not worth it.

Will mortgage rates go down in 2025? ›

So, when will mortgage rates go down? Experts from Fannie Mae and the MBA predict a gradual decrease by the end of 2025. Forecasts indicate that 30-year mortgage rates, currently around 7.1%, might drop to 6.6% by the end of 2024, and further down to 5.9% by the end of 2025.

Will 2030 be a good time to buy a house? ›

Especially in California

RenoFi projects that by 2030, for example, San Francisco will have the highest average home value in the country, at a whopping $2,612,484. Two other California cities, San Jose and Oakland, expect to price out at $2,251,703 and $1,713,554, respectively.

Is now a good time to buy a house in Ohio? ›

Ohio Housing Market Conditions

The current real estate market conditions in Ohio are becoming favorable for home buyers. Here's how: Lower Mortgage Rates: The interest rates for home loans have decreased to 7.05%, marking a decline from approximately 8% in the preceding year of 2023.

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