Home buyers’ most wanted home feature sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic: more space, both indoors and out.
Extra space tends to come at a premium, but in some markets, buyers are finding they can get more room without busting their budgets.
“With many working from home now, it’s nice to have space to separate from children, spouses, or roommates to get some quiet and focus,” says Danielle Hale, realtor.com®’s chief economist. “Even if you’re not contending with others at home, having extra space can enable you to change your scenery to give you the fresh perspective you need to tackle challenges.”
Realtor.com®’s research team analyzed the median list price per square foot in the top 100 metros to find the markets that offer the most space at affordable prices. (To ensure geographic diversity, they limited the rankings to one location per state.) The following metros came out on top:
1. Youngstown, Ohio
- Median listing price: $129,950
- Median price per square foot: $56
2. Pittsburgh
- Median listing price: $247,450
- Median price per square foot: $65
3. Wichita, Kan.
- Median listing price: $248,028
- Median price per square foot: $101
4. McAllen, Texas
- Median listing price: $215,000
- Median price per square foot: $103
5. Columbia, S.C.
- Median listing price: $249,750
- Median price per square foot: $109
6. Little Rock, Ark.
- Median list price: $235,050
- Median price per square foot: $110
7. Augusta, Ga.
- Median listing price:$242,500
- Median price per square foot: $111
View the full list at realtor.com®.
Source: “Breathing Room: Where Home Buyers Can Get the Most Space for Their Money,” realtor.com® (July 27, 2020)
