Zillow Research Flags Buffalo, Chicago and Houston as Housing Markets to Watch

Zillow Research Flags Buffalo, Chicago and Houston as Housing Markets to Watch

New research from Zillow Group is drawing attention to three metro areas — Buffalo, Chicago and Houston — as housing markets that could stand out in the months ahead, according to a report published by RISMedia.

The analysis highlights how buyers and sellers in these markets may face different conditions than in other parts of the country, as affordability pressures and inventory dynamics continue to reshape the national housing landscape. While coastal markets have dominated headlines in recent years, Zillow’s research suggests that more affordable Midwestern and Texas metros are emerging as areas worth monitoring.

Buffalo and Chicago represent relatively affordable markets in the Midwest, where home prices have historically grown at a steadier pace than in high-cost coastal regions. Houston, meanwhile, has been one of the fastest-growing major metros in the country, supported by job growth and continued in-migration, though its market has had to adapt as mortgage rates have risen from pandemic-era lows.

Zillow, which publishes regular housing market research alongside its consumer marketplace, operates through four business categories: Residential, Mortgages, Rentals and Other. The company’s platform connects consumers with technology, agents and loan officers across the United States, giving it broad visibility into home shopping trends nationwide.

Shares of Zillow Group (NASDAQ: Z) closed at $34.58, up 3.47% from the previous close of $33.42, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $7.86 billion. Zillow is classified in the Communication Services sector within the Internet Content & Information industry.

Zillow’s market research has become a widely cited barometer for real estate professionals, and its identification of these three metros aligns with a broader pattern in which buyers have sought out markets where home prices remain within reach relative to incomes. The full research report is expected to inform discussions among agents, brokerages and market analysts as the housing cycle evolves.

What to watch

• Zillow’s upcoming quarterly earnings report for updates on Residential, Rentals and Mortgages segment performance.
• New housing inventory and price data for Buffalo, Chicago and Houston to track whether the trends identified in the research materialize.
• Future Zillow research releases, which typically update market forecasts as mortgage rates and demand shift.

Source: original release