Skip to main content

Redfin: Close To 31 Percent Of Homebuyers Are Looking To Move Another Metro

May 26, 2021
Photo of a family all packed up to move.
Director of Events

A report from Redfin revealed that 30.6% of Redfin.com users were looking to move to a different metro area in April, down from 31.5% in the first quarter but up from 26% at the same time last year.

The small decline in the share of homebuyers looking to relocate could be an early indication that pandemic-driven migration is starting to slow down as vaccines roll out and more Americans return to the office, according to Redfin.

"The swell in relocations may be coming down from its peak, but the share of homebuyers looking to relocate to a different area is still well above pre-pandemic levels. Redfin agents in popular destinations say the surge of out-of-towners shows no signs of slowing," said Redfin chief economist Daryl Fairweather. "The small decline in April could be the start of a slowdown in the yearlong surge of people moving from one metro to another, but it could also just be a blip before things pick right back up. The dust has not settled, as there are still a lot of unknowns about what portion of workers will return to the office and how many will pick up and move because they finally have clarity from their employers about whether or how often they can work remotely. Once people know more about their future, we could see another big wave of migration as people settle into the new normal."

Movement from one metro area to another has mainly been trending upward since the beginning of the pandemic, with Americans taking advantage of remote work to relocate to places that match their personal preferences such as warm weather, affordability or living close to family.

So, what are the most popular destinations for these folks? According to the report, homebuyers are looking to move to sunny inland metros and parts of Florida. The report also revealed that folks are leaving big metros such as New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

About the author
Director of Events
Navi Persaud is Director of Events at NMP.
Published
May 26, 2021
HUD Freezes Foreclosures On FHA Mortgages In Texas Flood Zone

Kerr County homeowners among hardest hit in disaster that’s claimed more than 100 lives

Jul 09, 2025
Fewer Canadians Hunt For U.S. Property

Largest component of international buyers in U.S. takes more than 25% hit

Jul 08, 2025
Fannie, Freddie Now Allow Lenders To Use VantageScore 4.0

Lenders will keep tri-merge credit scoring model; what this shift means

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation Announces Rebranding

Now Fairway Home Mortgage, company also donates $1M to support relief efforts in deadly Texas flooding

Jul 07, 2025
FHFA Chief Officially Calls For Investigation Of Federal Reserve Chairman Powell

Alleges Powell lied in testimony to Congress regarding Fed building renovations, says Fed Chair should be fired

BBB Will Impact Homeowners, Buyers

U.S. House and Senate must agree on certain tax, mortgage insurance premium deductions