Real Estate app and website Zillow released its national home price outlook for March 2026 – March 2027, estimating 0% growth over the period. It also shows that home prices in more than a third of the country will decline, making it an opportune time for buyers.
Some Areas Are Growing
While it’s good news for home buyers if prices stay the same or decline, nearly two-thirds of the country will stay stable or even grow. Some of the biggest areas of growth are occurring in New England, with a few Midwestern and Southern regions also making the top 10 list.
The top 10 areas with the highest projected real estate growth:
- Syracuse, NY —> +5.0%
- Rockford, IL —> +4.5%
- Atlantic City, NJ —> +4.5%
- Rochester, NY —> +4.0%
- Utica, NY —> +3.5%
- Knoxville, TN —> +3.4%
- Norwich, CT —> +3.3%
- Binghamton, NY —> +3.3%
- Morristown, TN —> +3.3%
- Green Bay, WI —> +3.2%
More Affordable Areas
If you’re looking for your dream retirement home, however, there is an equally impressive list where home prices are actually declining. It may be the perfect time to buy if any of these regions catch your eye.
- Houma, LA —> -7.0%
- Lake Charles, LA —> -5.6%
- Austin, TX —> -4.6%
- New Orleans, LA —> -4.4%
- Shreveport, LA —> -3.6%
- Beaumont, TX —> -3.4%
- Alexandria, LA —> -3.4%
- Lafayette, LA —> -3.2%
- Vallejo, CA —> -3.2%
- Chico, CA —> -3.2%
Louisiana seems to be the winner, with 60% of the top 10 affordable cities located within the state. Texas and even California also appear in the top 10. Texas is surprising, considering it leads the nation in attracting new residents. California, although it’s seen a population decline in recent years, tends to see its real estate hold value.
Southern Living
A New York Times article from last year noted that Americans were staying put, but those who did decide to migrate were overwhelmingly headed south. With more temperate weather and less taxes, the South has always been a draw for retirees.
Areas like Houma, LA, however, may have more woes than rewards. Like Florida, home insurance costs are incredibly disproportionate to the rest of the country. The average insurance premium sits realistically in the 5-figure range…