In a move that will catch the attention of savvy property investors and landlords, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has unveiled its top 10 homebuying hot spots for this year.
The list has been curated based on economic, demographic and housing factors – the key measures every landlord and investor should consider when assessing how to start or expand a property portfolio.
For those considering property investment for the first time, my most fundamental advice is to diversify your risk. That is, don’t buy only apartments, and don’t always buy in the same city.
Local economic conditions will vary from city to city, and state to state. So diversification is a critical factor in running a successful portfolio of rental properties.
The list is also powerful for those seeking a new home and can work remotely, thus enjoying the freedom to choose where you wish to live.
Finally, the NAR list should resonate with first-time buyers who are able to prioritize their location rather than be restricted in their choices because of their work situation.
The list is:
- Charleston, South Carolina.
- Charlotte, North Carolina–South Carolina.
- Columbus, Ohio.
- Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Jacksonville, Florida.
- Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota–Wisconsin.*
- Raleigh, North Carolina.
- Richmond, Virginia.
- Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Spokane, Washington.
(*The list was released at NAR’s forecast summit, before the troubles we’ve witnessed in Minneapolis. To qualify, each city had to have a population of 250,000 or more.)
NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said: “Lower mortgage rates and larger inventory will attract buyers back to the market in 2026.
“The top 10 housing hot spots for 2026 have a combination of strong demand potential, projected improvements in affordability, and, most critically, a housing stock that matches the budgets of the buyers who are returning to the market.”