After a real estate market that grew stagnant in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a real estate surge has been happening in 2021 in many parts of the U.S., creating a strong seller's market. Record low mortgage rates, combined with a sharp decline in inventory, sent listing prices up 17% from January to September 2020, according to Realtor.com — and they just keep climbing.
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While this is great news for sellers, it can be discouraging for buyers looking to put down roots. However, there are still plenty of cities where homes can be purchased at affordable prices.
GOBankingRates conducted a study to find out which cities have the biggest bargains on houses. Single-family residences in those that made the list were valued above the national average of $247,282 in March 2020, but fell below the national average of $276,081 in March 2021 — as well as below the average for their state.
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If you're interested in buying a house, but don't want to pay a premium, this could be a strategic way to find your dream home. Here's a look at the 15 largest cities to make the list.
Last updated: Oct. 29, 2021
Richmond, Virginia
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $248,830
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $274,540
March to March Growth in Home Value: $25,710
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 10.33%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $319,033
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $26,663
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 9.12%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $44,493
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Melbourne, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $250,377
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $275,594
March to March Growth in Home Value: $25,217
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 10.07%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $219,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $15,435
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Tamarac, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $251,634
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $273,609
March to March Growth in Home Value: $21,975
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.73%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $291,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $17,420
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Port Orange, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $247,604
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $269,869
March to March Growth in Home Value: $22,265
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.99%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $291,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $21,160
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Casselberry, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $250,389
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $271,931
March to March Growth in Home Value: $21,542
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.60%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $291,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $19,098
Town of Orchard Park, New York
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $247,451
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $272,892
March to March Growth in Home Value: $25,441
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 10.28%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $304,617
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $28,097
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.16%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $31,725
Mount Dora, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $252,298
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $273,173
March to March Growth in Home Value: $20,875
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.27%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $291,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $17,856
Carney, Maryland
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $247,390
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $274,717
March to March Growth in Home Value: $27,327
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 11.05%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $361,159
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $35,408
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.87%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $86,442
Crystal, Minnesota
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $247,451
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $275,173
March to March Growth in Home Value: $27,772
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 11.20%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $293,707
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $24,732
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 9.19%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $18,534
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Gloucester, Virginia
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $249,213
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $263,447
March to March Growth in Home Value: $14,234
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 5.71%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $319,033
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $26,663
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 9.12%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $55,586
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Fallon, Nevada
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $249,754
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $265,920
March to March Growth in Home Value: $16,166
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 6.47%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $356,073
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $32,059
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 9.89%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $90,153
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The Dalles, Oregon
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $248,736
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $269,373
March to March Growth in Home Value: $20,637
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.30%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $420,279
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $44,507
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 11.84%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $150,906
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Crescent City, California
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $249,757
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $266,879
March to March Growth in Home Value: $17,122
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 6.86%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $656,360
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $69,585
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 11.86%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $389,481
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Prineville, Oregon
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $249,789
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $271,458
March to March Growth in Home Value: $21,669
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 8.67%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $420,279
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $44,507
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 11.84%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $148,821
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Callahan, Florida
March 31, 2020, Single Family Residence Home Value: $250,524
March 31, 2021 Single Family Residence Home Value: $269,464
March to March Growth in Home Value: $18,940
March to March Growth in Home Value (%): 7.56%
State Average SFR Home Value March 2021: $291,029
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March: $27,354
State Average Growth in Home Value March to March (%): 10.37%
Difference in March, 2021 Home Value vs. State Average: $21,565
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Jordan Rosenfeld contributed to the reporting for this article. Methodology: In order to discover the cities where houses are suddenly a bargain, GOBankingRates first found the (1) March 2020 single family residence (SFR) home value for every US city and the national average as sourced from Zillow. Those cities with SFR home values above the national average in March 2020 were moved on to the next factor (2) March 2021 SFR home values. Those remaining cities with a March 2021 SFR home value lower than the national average were deemed to be "suddenly bargains" and were moved on to the next set of factors. To be included in the top 15, the above criteria had to be met and the March 2021 SFR home value in each city had to be below (3) the state's March 2021 average home value. The 15 largest cities that met all the criteria laid out above were included in the final ranking. GOBankingRates also found the (4) March 2020 to March 2021 growth in SFR home value: (5) percent change in March 2020 to March 2021 SFR home value for each city and state as supplemental data. All figures were sourced from Zillow and up to date as of April 27, 2021.Photo note: Some of these images are representational and may not depict the exact area mentioned.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Houses in These Cities Are Suddenly Major Bargains
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