Zillow Group, Inc. Class C Capital Stock - Z STOCK NEWS

The Zillow analysis reports a significant rise in U.S. million-dollar cities, with 45 new additions in the past year, marking the largest annual increase in over a decade. Currently, there are 312 cities with typical home values exceeding $1 million, an increase of 104 from five years ago. This surge reflects a 7.5% annual appreciation in home values, driven by heightened demand during the pandemic. Coastal metro areas dominate the list, with San Francisco leading at 61 cities. High-value markets like Atherton, Calif. ($6.6 million) and Hunts Point, Wash. ($6 million) top the rankings.

The latest Zillow analysis reveals that home values for Black- and Latinx-owned homes remain lower than the national average, with gaps of 16.2% and 10.2%, respectively. However, these disparities have narrowed by about 4 percentage points since the Great Recession. The report indicates that Black and Latinx homeowners are seeing a recovery post-pandemic, aided by low mortgage rates and extended forbearance programs. While homeownership rates are increasing, inequality persists across different states, with Detroit showing a staggering 46% value gap.

Zillow forecasts a robust housing market in 2021, anticipating the highest annual home sales growth in nearly 40 years, with a projected increase of 21.9% leading to 6.9 million homes sold. This surge is fueled by economic recovery, demographic factors, and a growing demand for city living as local economies reopen. However, rising home prices and mortgage rates pose affordability challenges for buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. The expected digital-first trend in real estate transactions will facilitate quicker connections between buyers and sellers, streamlining the home shopping experience.

Rent appreciation is recovering as home values surge, according to Zillow's latest Real Estate Market Report. Rent increased by 1.1% year-over-year in November, with typical U.S. rent at $1,734. Zillow predicts 2021 sales will be the strongest since 2005, with home values expected to rise by 10.3% from November 2020. In November, typical home values grew by 7.5% year-over-year, hitting $263,351. Strong demand and low inventory are driving this growth, despite challenges facing renters affected by the pandemic.

This press release from Zillow highlights significant changes in the real estate market during 2020, driven by the pandemic. Key points include a rise in remote work leading to increased housing options and demand, with nearly two million renters becoming potential homeowners. Record low interest rates spurred first-time buyers, while a preference for digital home buying experiences grew. Despite initial fears of an urban exodus, Zillow reported no significant shift from urban to suburban markets, with some cities experiencing stable demand. The impact of COVID-19 on renters, particularly among women and minorities, was also noted.

According to StreetEasy, New York City rents have experienced a greater decline in 2020 than during the Great Recession. Manhattan saw a 12.7% year-over-year drop, with a median asking rent of $2,800, the lowest in a decade. Brooklyn and Queens followed with declines of 6.3% and 5.7%, respectively. The rental inventory has surged, doubling year-over-year to nearly 37,000 additional homes. StreetEasy attributes these trends to the economic fallout from the pandemic, suggesting a sluggish recovery ahead despite potential boosts from COVID-19 vaccines.

The recent Zillow analysis reveals 5.7 million 'missing' households in the U.S. due to low household formation rates since the Great Recession. This shortfall suggests persistent housing demand, as many young adults remain living with parents or roommates. The overall affordability crisis continues to hinder homeownership, with factors like underbuilding and rising rents exacerbating the issue. Despite the pandemic's impact, the long-term outlook indicates strong housing demand driven by the aging Millennial population and ongoing economic recovery.

Zillow's analysis highlights that Black renters may benefit most from pandemic-driven telework, making first-time homeownership more attainable. The study reveals that in high-value metro areas, Black renters are 29% more likely to purchase homes in less expensive regions. Despite this advantage, significant disparities in homeownership persist, with 75% of white households owning homes compared to just 44% of Black households. While telework could assist 4.5% of all renters in affording homes elsewhere, it is not a comprehensive solution to existing affordability challenges.