The Hottest Housing Market in March Is …

Mar 30, 2018

For the second time this week, a new data survey has named San Francisco as the worst market for first-time homebuyers

San Francisco continued to reign on Realtor.com’s list of hottest housing markets, holding the number one spot for March. However, the top 20 list for March saw a number of significant ranking changes.

Vallejo, Calif., moved into second place from last month’s third place ranking, while Colorado Springs, Colo., jumped from ninth place in February to third place for March. But three markets made major leaps up the chart: Boston, which ranked 21st in February, ranked seventh in March, while Idaho’s Boise City leaped from 22nd to 13th and Buffalo, N.Y., skyrocketed from 35th to 18th and broke into the top 20 for the first time since June 2015.

Also rising were median listing prices: $280,000, the highest level reached since Realtor.com began tracking this data in 2012. March’s median listing price was eight percent higher on a year-over-year basis. Also rising, albeit less dramatically, was inventory: up 3 percent from February, although 8 percent lower than one year earlier.

“Never in history have there been more eyes on fewer homes than today,” said Javier Vivas, director of economic research at Realtor.com. “The price gains observed in the last days of March tell us the market is on pace to see half of the homes listed above $300,000 this summer. This means buyers are not just having to pay more for the same home—they’re also seeing the mix of what’s available change more rapidly.”

About the author

Phil Hall

Link copied

Published

Mar 30, 2018

Analysis and Data

One-Third Of Homeowners Expect To Refinance Despite Elevated Mortgage Rates

Many prospective refinancers carry mortgage rates above 5%, suggesting demand could accelerate if borrowing costs decline

One-third of homeowners say they are either currently refinancing or likely to refinance within the next two years, despite mortgage rates remaining well above pandemic-era lows, according to new survey data released by Refi.com.The findings challenge a common industry narra...

C-Suite Strategies

Two Harbors Reaffirms August Closing Timeline For CrossCountry Deal

MSR-focused REIT says it will continue regular dividends through closing as the proposed sale advances following UWM's decision not to submit a revised bid

Two Harbors Investment Corp. used its latest dividend announcement to reaffirm expectations that its pending sale to CrossCountry Mortgage remains on track for an August closing.The mortgage servicing rights (MSR)-focused real estate investment trust said it plans to continu...

Oct

Denver, CO

More from

Industry News

Commercial, Multifamily Mortgage Debt Tops $5 Trillion In Q1

MBA says outstanding debt grew by $26.3 billion in the first quarter, led by multifamily lending and increased holdings from banks, agencies, and life insurers

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Fed Holds Rates Steady, But Outlook Dims For Mortgage Rate Relief

The Federal Reserve left rates unchanged but updated projections show more policymakers expecting additional hikes

Industry News

Jun 18, 2026

Congress Nears Final Vote On 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

Senate voted 87-8 to advance House-amended package, with final votes expected in coming days

Industry News

Jun 17, 2026

Florida Pending Sales Signal Strong Summer Housing Market

Closed sales rise for a ninth straight month as inventory gives buyers more negotiating power