WSJ, Realtor.com launch emerging housing markets index

The Wall Street Journal and Realtor.com have launched the WSJ/Realtor.com emerging housing markets index which analyzes “a slate of housing market data, economic vitality, and lifestyle metrics to surface emerging housing markets that offer a high quality of life and are expected to see future home price appreciation.”

Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com said:

“Our emerging housing markets list is another example of how different housing markets are being shaped by people using remote work flexibility to relocate to less urban locales. With outperforming local economies and many small businesses, these areas offer locals a great quality of life that is drawing new residents in.
“Whether it’s boating, skiing or hiking, the majority of the markets on this list offer homebuyers a chance to get outdoors, which has become especially important over the last year. Looking forward, what happens in these housing markets as companies start to open their offices again, has yet to be seen, and could hinge on the degree to which workplace flexibility becomes a new norm.”