Nicole Brown The Coldwell Banker Market Watch
		NEARLY 3 IN 5 HOMEBUYERS ARE SEARCHING OUTSIDE THEIR CITY As affordability remains a top concern, more Americans are open to putting down roots somewhere new. According to Realtor.com’s latest Cross-Market Demand Report, nearly 3 in 5 online home shoppers looked for properties in a different metro area from where they currently live.  THE SEARCH FOR VALUE GOES BEYOND CITY LIMITS In the second quarter of 2025, 58.9% of buyers browsed listings in cities other than their own—a significant jump from the 48.1% recorded back in 2019, before the pandemic reshaped remote work and housing priorities.  While this year’s percentage is slightly lower than 2024, it still reflects a major shift in how—and where—buyers are willing to move, especially as they seek greater affordability and better lifestyle options.  BOOMTOWNS COOLING OFF  Some cities that saw rapid growth during the pandemic are now seeing the opposite trend. In McAllen, TX, the share of people searching outside the metro jumped 30 percentage points since 2019. Rising home prices and higher unemployment may be factors. Similar trends are playing out in Phoenix, Chicago, and Spokane, where once-booming demand among locals has tapered off.  METROS THAT ARE HOLDING STRONG  Not all cities are seeing a rise in relocation searches. A few metros are bucking the trend with declines in out-of-area search activity: Portland, OR: Down 9.8 percentage points since 2019 San Francisco, CA: Down 5.9 points Houston, TX: Down 4 points While these areas had their challenges post-2019, the report suggests that recent improvements in affordability and quality-of-life amenities may be helping them retain more residents.  “Affordability remains a primary driver of home searches, but evolving workplace policies, job opportunities and shifting local conditions also play a role,” says Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale.  BIG CITIES, BIGGER DEPARTURES  Large metros topped the list of places where locals are looking to relocate. San Jose, CA: 93.7% of home searchers looked elsewhere—and more than a third of those looked outside California altogether. Washington, D.C.: 86.4% of local users browsed in other metros. Seattle, WA: 80.5% of searchers considered relocating. Salt Lake City, UT: 77% searched outside the region. In high-cost cities like San Jose, where the average home price exceeds $1.4 million (Zillow), some homeowners may be aiming to “cash out” and relocate somewhere more affordable. “Despite the year-over-year step back, Americans continue to take a broader view of where they can live,” Hale adds. “Often looking beyond their current metro areas in hopes of stretching their dollar and improving their lifestyle.”								DID YOU KNOW? Chicago         There's a home in Texas made of beer cans

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		Nicole Brown  [email protected]