By MarketWatch
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Niagara Falls, N.Y., as Amy Hoak points out today, is well known for its lovely views and tourist-friendly attractions. It also has the dubious distinction of being named the “most affordable” housing market in the U.S. in Coldwell Banker’s annual home listing report. The report also identifies the most expensive housing markets in the U.S., basing the ranking on a review of 2,300 markets in North America and analyzing properties listed between September 2010 and March 2011. The common factor is the listing price for a four-bedroom, two-bath house. In Niagara Falls, that would be about $60,820. At the top of the most expensive list: Newport Beach, Calif., where the average listing price for a four-bedroom, two-bath house is about $2.5 million.
The extremes of the most affordable and most expensive are interesting, no doubt. But most of us don’t live in a world — or even a neighborhood — of extremes. However, the report does reveal some useful information. First, there were 775 U.S. markets where listings averaged $200,000 or less. That’s good news for potential homebuyers. The report also gives some clues as to why some markets are so “affordable.” They still suffer from weak economies and some have an overabundant housing supply. See if your town made either list.
Anne Stanley
, Managing Editor, Personal Finance
The 10 most affordable U.S. home markets
Niagara Falls, N.Y., is well known for its beautiful views, which bring tourists from all over into its city limits. But here’s something you might not have known: It also has the most affordable housing market in the country.
Read more: The 10 most affordable U.S. home markets.
The 10 most expensive U.S. cities to buy a home
Six of the 10 most expensive housing markets in the country are in California, according to Coldwell Banker’s annual Home Listing Report, released Wednesday.
Read more: The 10 most expensive U.S. cities to buy a home.
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