Don’t waste your money buying or renting in the most overvalued housing markets throughout the United States.
It’s challenging to find affordable property worth its price in the U.S. As major cities like Atlanta and Seattle grow, real estate demand increases. You may end up drastically overpaying for a home with a much lower value.
Maximize your housing budget by skipping the country’s most overpriced real estate markets.
Washington, D.C.
As a significant economic and political hub, Washington, D.C. consistently ranks among the country’s most overvalued markets. The nation’s capital struggles to accommodate local real estate needs.
Washington, D.C., has recently welcomed many new residents, increasing property demand. Today, over 20% of homes listed in the area are over $1 million.
Portland, Oregon
Portland becomes more expensive to live in every year. Housing availability and affordability are urgent concerns facing the Oregon locale.
There is an extreme lack of homes throughout Portland, and property costs are over 50% higher than the national average. The market in this Pacific Northwest vacation spot is unlikely to slow down, so prepare for sky-high expenses as a renter or buyer.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Overtourism has significantly impacted the Honolulu housing market. Vacationers and out-of-state buyers compound the issue of housing shortages throughout Hawaii.
According to U.S. World News Real Estate, Honolulu ranked sixth among markets with the highest housing payment-to-income ratios. Native residents struggle to afford to stay in the state as tourist surges ramp up property prices.
Seattle, Washington
The urban Seattle area is a costly place to live. Over 70% of the city is zoned for single-family homes, severely limiting multifamily residences.
This concern worsened during the tech industry boom of the mid-2000s, during which many workers relocated to the Pacific Northwest. Today, buyers can expect to spend around $877,000 for a typical Seattle home.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You’ll have to pay to play the real estate game in Las Vegas. At one point, it was relatively affordable compared to other metropolitan cities. However, more people are moving to Las Vegas, increasing home prices.
Sin City must add more inventory to accommodate the population surge. Many locals have relocated because they can no longer afford the high housing costs.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a thriving economic hub with one of the country’s most overvalued real estate markets. Property values skyrocketed as large tech companies began moving into the Bay Area.
Insufficient housing makes San Francisco a competitive place to rent or buy. Redfin reports the median sale price of a San Francisco home is over 220% above the national average.
Brooklyn, New York
High property costs make the Brooklyn borough of New York City an outrageously inflated housing market. Inventory is limited in NYC, encouraging competitiveness between buyers and renters.
Since this area is in demand, property owners can get away with overcharging. Finding a home of good value for the price is challenging in a bustling place like Brooklyn.
Denver, Colorado
Restrictive zoning laws add to Denver’s reputation as a hot real estate market. Not enough properties are available to accommodate the local population, resulting in sky-high housing payments.
Colorado consistently ranks among the top states to live in the U.S., attracting worldwide visitors. As demand continues rising, property prices follow suit.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix’s population is rising as people move there from across the country. With its warm weather, tasty culinary scene, and all-ages activities, Phoenix is one of the country’s most retirement-friendly cities.
This once-affordable destination becomes more expensive every year. Don’t expect to get your money’s worth buying property in this growing metropolitan area.
Miami, Florida
Miami is an attractive place to live, drastically increasing the local median house price. The property market is steadily growing, and many find renting or buying on a budget near-impossible. Like many major cities, Miami lacks housing, which increases demand and the amount people are willing to spend.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Florida Atlantic University recently named Charlotte the 10th-most overvalued market in the U.S. You’ll significantly overpay for property in this southern city.
It has one of the state’s hottest real estate and job markets, attracting many out-of-town workers. Charlotte must build more homes to keep up with the influx of people moving in.
Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia’s capital, Atlanta, is an incredibly competitive place to find property. Sellers are the most influential real estate players, charging high prices to rent and buy.
Housing shortages compound the issue, worsening affordability. If you plan to live in the heart of Atlanta, expect a hefty price tag.
Boston, Massachusetts
Finding a house worth its value is challenging in the Boston area. Limited availability creates a fast-paced climate for buying and renting.
Boston’s home-building process is slow, and payments are at an all-time high. While the city has much to discover, others offer equally incredible culture for a fraction of the price.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.