6 Must-Buy Housing Markets in 2022

6 Must-Buy Housing Markets in 2022

Are you in the market to buy a home this year? If so, whether that is a new primary home or a rental property you need to know the must-buy housing markets in 2022. Click here to learn.

If you’re a prospective home buyer or real estate investor feeling confused and overwhelmed by the market right now, you’re not alone.  So many housing markets are overpriced these days, it can be hard to know the best places to buy.

There are a few major things to consider when you are looking to buy real estate. Any housing market you are interested in should be an affordable, safe, young community with major job growth and high-paying jobs. These markets are out there–but how do you find them?

Lucky for you, I’ve done all the hard work and research–and now I’m sharing it with you. Check out my top six picks of the best housing markets to invest in in 2022.

1. 6. San Antonio, TX

You may have heard a lot of buzz about Austin, Texas, which was named Zillow’s hottest housing market of 2021. But a lot of people don’t know that just 60 miles away sits San Antonio, a rapidly growing housing market where prices are still 50% lower than Austin.

San Antonio is home to the headquarters of over 400 companies, including the second-largest corporation in Texas, Valero. It is also close to several military bases.  This means it offers steady jobs and job growth all by itself, but it is also close enough to Austin to provide a great option for those commuting to the state capital.

The Alamo City, as it’s sometimes referred to, offers a variety of cultural activities, great schools, and low taxes. San Antonio’s diverse food scene, historical attractions, and hip areas like the River Walk make it a popular spot among young professionals, as well.

This hidden gem offers a great balance of urban and rural life, with a median house price of just over $275,000, making it a great spot to buy your next home or to invest in a vacation rental property.

1. 5. Temecula/Murrieta, CA

The Temecula and Murrieta region of Riverside County is number five on my list. Now, since this is where I live, you may think I’m biased–but I live here for a reason.

With 15% job growth and massive migration from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County, the Temecula/Murrieta area is becoming a competitive market. The region boasts some of the best schools in the state of California, on top of house prices that are 30% to 50% lower than those in the three major surrounding counties.

Surrounded by wineries and just 22 miles from the Pacific Ocean, the region has also become one of the top ten places in the country to get married, making it a great spot to invest in a vacation rental.

Temecula/Murrieta is also a great hotspot for young families looking for an affordable area to raise their kids in Southern California. It’s a prime location whether you need to commute to one of the nearby major cities, or you just want to work remotely from sunny Southern California.

1. 4. Mount Juliet, TN

Located just 20 miles away from Nashville, Mount Juliet has seen major growth over the past few years. Despite being one of the fastest-growing communities in the Nashville area, its median home price is still only about $490,000, making it a great alternative to the city.

Mount Juliet is a great fit for folks commuting to Nashville, or for anyone who just wants an affordable way to live close to Music City. In addition to the music industry that made it famous, Nashville also boasts a strong job market across a variety of sectors, which Mount Juliet residents can take full advantage of.

Oracle, a leading software company, has just purchased land to build a campus on the Nashville riverfront, bringing nearly 10,000 high-paying tech jobs to the Nashville area over the next few years. Oracle joins other major companies like Amazon, Cisco, and Nissan, who already have a presence in the region, making it a hotspot for job growth.

Mount Juliet has a low tax rate coupled with a median household income significantly over the national average, and is home to some of the top schools in Tennessee. Combining the safety of a suburb with all the benefits of proximity to a major city, this up-and-coming town is perfect for young families. I can’t wait to see Mount Juliet grow even more in the coming years.

1. 3. Columbus, OH

Who wants to live in Ohio? Let me tell you — a lot of people. While it might seem like an unlikely candidate, Columbus is a budding startup hotspot, bringing in over $1 billion in startup funding from leading venture capitalist firms in the last twelve months alone.

Columbus is also a booming area for the tech and medical industries, offering a ton of highly paid, high-growth job opportunities for locals and transplants alike. Despite all of this growth potential, you can still buy a house for as low as $260,000, with nicer homes going for just $400,000.

Columbus also offers a high quality of life. While the city’s average salary is only slightly below the national average, home prices and the overall cost of living in Columbus are lower than in other major metropolitan areas around the country.

As the state capital and home of Ohio State University, Columbus attracts people from all types of backgrounds, united by their love for the Buckeyes.  There’s a lot to do in this bustling city, including an array of shops, restaurants, bars, concert venues, and more.

With a lower-than-average crime rate and a wide selection of good schools, Columbus is a great option for families, while its cultural attractions, young population, and low cost of living make it ideal for young professionals as well. I’ll even put my money where my mouth is–Columbus is one of the housing markets that I will personally be investing in in 2022.

1. 2. Huntsville, AL

When you think of tech hotspots, Alabama probably isn’t the first state that springs to mind. But what if I told you that Huntsville is home to more software developers than Silicon Valley? This is just one of the reasons it’s my silver medal pick.

Since the 1960s, Huntsville (a.k.a. Rocket City) has become the epicenter for all rocket and space programs, owned by both private companies and the government, making it a high-earning area to work.  You might expect house prices to reflect such high earnings–but that is not the case. With a median home price of only $192,667, workers living in Huntsville have the potential for very high levels of disposable income that they can reinvest in the community

Huntsville, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in Alabama, was ranked the third-best place to live in America in 2022, and it’s not hard to see why. It boasts a booming job market and a lower-than-average crime rate, and in recent years the city has seen an outbreak of new construction, offering exciting new shopping, dining, and housing options, including several craft breweries and an arts center.

It’s not rocket science–Huntsville is blossoming, and that’s why it’s another market that I’ll be investing in this year.

1. 1. Fayetteville, AR

You might be surprised by my number one pick for 2022. But don’t just take my word for it– Fayetteville was ranked number 4 in Best Places to Live in 2022 by U.S. News and World Report.

Northwest Arkansas, where Fayetteville is located, is the birthplace of Walmart, the headquarters of Tyson Foods, and the home of the University of Arkansas, offering steady jobs and attracting professionals from all over the country.

In fact, Fayetteville is the fastest-growing job market in America, with more growth than both Dallas and Phoenix over the past five years. People from all walks of life are flocking to Fayetteville for its educational and economic opportunities.  Despite this, Fayetteville still holds onto the small-town friendliness and charm of its history.

Most importantly, however, the housing market remains incredibly affordable–the median home price is around $203,000, and you can get a very nice home for just $275,000.  Fayetteville’s strong public schools, low cost of living, and young population make it a great place to own real estate.

Which Of These Housing Markets is Right for You? 

Whether you’re looking to buy an investment property or a new primary home for you and your family, you don’t want to miss out on the chance to invest in these up-and-coming housing markets.

If you want to get a little piece of what could be the next Austin, Texas, visit us to find out your financing options, and take the first steps toward purchasing property in one of these booming cities today.

If you would love to buy a rental property but unsure of where the down payment would come from, email me decker@modernteam.com to see how you could use your current home's equity.

For more expert tips, follow me on Instagram and Facebook @thebriandecker.