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According to realtor.com, searches for homes in ski towns surged nearly 36% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2020, largely driven by residents from colder Northern states seeking outdoor recreational options. Snowbirds showed increased interest in ski towns, with views up 44.5% compared to the national average increase of 35.7%. The top ski towns saw a 127% average increase in home shopper interest. Notable towns include Union Dale, PA with a 225% search increase and a median listing of $185,000.

The U.S. housing market saw a historic low in the number of homes for sale in December, dipping below 700,000 for the first time, as demand remained robust. The median listing price rose to $340,000, reflecting a 13.4% year-over-year increase, despite a decline from a summer high of $350,000. Newly listed homes dropped just 0.8% compared to the previous year. The ongoing shortage of inventory and mixed trends in new listings highlight challenges ahead. Experts anticipate further lows in supply as COVID cases surge, impacting sellers' willingness to list properties.

Move, Inc., operator of realtor.com®, has acquired Avail, a Chicago-based platform enhancing the renting experience for DIY landlords and tenants. This acquisition aims to expand realtor.com®'s presence in the rental market, which is worth over $500 billion annually. Avail's tools assist landlords in managing properties effectively, with 90% using its free services. CEO David Doctorow highlighted the strategic importance of this acquisition in meeting the needs of a growing and underserved market. The acquisition terms remain undisclosed, but it is expected to bolster rental listing content and increase brand loyalty.

Realtor.com®'s analysis reveals that homes in high-risk flood zones have seen a sales price growth lagging by 5 percentage points compared to lower-risk homes over the past five years. For fire-prone properties, the gap stands at 3 percentage points. Despite a national surge in home prices in 2020, growth is expected to slow, particularly in disaster-prone areas. The report emphasizes the need for homebuyers to consider additional costs associated with insurance and mitigation when purchasing such properties. This trend is observable in states like California, Delaware, and Florida.

Realtor.com® has identified the top real estate markets for 2021, highlighting cities like Sacramento, San Jose, and Charlotte. These markets are projected to see a 6.9% increase in home prices and 13.1% rise in sales year-over-year, surpassing national averages. Key factors driving growth include the presence of high-paying tech jobs and relative affordability, particularly appealing to young homebuyers. Sacramento leads the list with a combined sales and price growth of 24.6%, supported by remote work trends.

The realtor.com® 2021 housing forecast predicts a 5.7% increase in existing home prices amidst strong buyer competition, despite looming affordability challenges due to rising interest rates projected to reach 3.4% by year-end. Existing home sales are expected to rise 7%, with single-family housing starts increasing by 9%. The recovery in housing inventory will be gradual, offering buyers some relief. However, millennial and Gen Z first-time buyers may struggle most with affordability as market dynamics shift towards a more normalized state.

In the week ending Nov 14, home prices showed signs of seasonal slowdown, growing by 12.6% compared to 12.9% the previous week. This marks the 14th consecutive week of double-digit price growth, with peaks around $350,000. Despite 7% fewer new listings than last week, median listing prices remain elevated. The housing market recovery index increased to 110.7, indicating ongoing strength. However, rising COVID-19 cases could challenge sales activity, suggesting a potential slowdown in the coming months.

Realtor.com has identified the top suburbs offering affordable space near the nation's largest metros as Americans seek more room at home during the pandemic. Homebuyers can save an average of 29% per square foot in these areas. For example, Fullerton, CA offers homes at $304,000 less than Los Angeles, while Clark, NJ offers savings of nearly $250,000. The report analyzes prices of single-family homes within 25 miles of 10 major metros, highlighting substantial savings and increased square footage for buyers.