Great Buys in the Country’s Hottest ZIP Codes

It’s hard out there for a house hunter in any of the nation’s hottest housing markets. Inventory is tight, the market moves fast, and, in most locales, the houses aren’t exactly cheap.

Last week, we pinpointed our 10 hottest ZIP codes for housing in 2016 and counted the ways in which these markets came to dominate in real estate. (Hint: strong job growth and home prices that are low for their area.) This week, we dove into the housing stock for each of the scorching locales to give you a sample of what buyers are seeing out there.

We tried our darndest to find homes for sale priced close to the median for each ZIP, but in some areas we were forced to go over budget a bit. We aimed for curb appeal as well, so pull up and take a look at what’s on offer in the country’s hottest real estate ZIPs.

10. North Park, CA (92104)

3650 Wightman St
Price: $459,900
Heat index: Priced below the median ($497,000) for the ZIP, this cute vintage bungalow has a separate studio. Income opportunities await!

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9. Milwaukie, OR (97222)

5056 SE Monroe St
Price: $334,900
Heat index: It’s priced a little bit above the median ($309,000) for the ZIP, but this four-bedroom charmer is worth it. Especially if you want a home that looks as if it’s been ripped straight from the pages of a storybook.

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8. Crestwood, MO (63126)

648 Fox Creek Ct
Price: $227,700
Heat index: Priced above the area’s median, this brick split-level is within walking distance to a park—which isn’t surprising. This red-hot ZIP is home to 120 acres of parkland.

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7. Melrose, MA (02176)

19 Lovell Rd
Price: $525,000
Heat index: Last year’s hottest ZIP remains warm this year with opportunities such as this three-bedroom Colonial. It’s priced a bit above the median ($462,000), but for a millennial buyer looking to begin a family, it makes perfect sense.

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6. Petaluma, CA (94954)

1915 Norfolk Dr
Price: $749,000
Heat index: It’s hard to find anything for sale near the median price ($596,000) for this ZIP. We had to go over budget to highlight this four-bedroom home in a “coveted school district.”

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5. San Antonio, TX (78247)

5110 Stormy Skies
Price: $195,000
Heat index: Right around the median price, this three-bedroom home is just over a decade old but shows no signs of wear or tear. It’s a bargain pick at only $80 per square foot.

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4. Colorado Springs, CO (80916)

1385 Keith Dr
Price: $165,000
Heat index: This three-bedroom home is going for less than the ZIP code median of $178,000. The large porch out front ensures you’ll get to know your neighbors.

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3. Northglenn, CO (80233)

10482 Franklin St
Price: $299,900
Heat index: Homes in this ZIP stay on the market for less than two weeks on average, so buyers should be shocked this three-bedroom ranch has been listed for a month. Complete with large basement, it’s a smart buy for a growing family.

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2. Pleasant Hill, CA (94523)

1961 Patricia Dr
Price: $599,000
Heat index: The median price for this ZIP is $630,000, which makes this three-bedroom home a relative bargain.

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1. Watauga, TX (76148)

5705 Bonnie Dr
Price: $159,900
Heat index: We were as surprised as anyone by the emergence of this Texas city. But perhaps the heat accounts for the relative scarcity of listings available in the ZIP. With only 62 homes in inventory, we found one priced a little over the median price of $137,000. This three-bedroom home is still a bargain, at only $80 per square foot.

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