Hunting for buying your first home in the US? No need to worry! We are here to guide you to find your dream home. When buying your first home, you must consider a few things to have a smooth process. First, you need to get mortgage permission and analyze your financial status. It will help you understand just how much you can afford to spend on a house.
Similarly, locations play a pivotal role. You should consider how far it is from your workplace, school, and hangout places. Moreover, it is important that the neighborhood is safe and suits your lifestyle. Here are the top ten US cities that could become your future hometowns in order to find the ideal house that satisfies your needs and wants.
St. Louis, Missouri
The city of St. Louis, Missouri, is a very good place for those looking to invest in their first house. The city offers a strong real estate market, diverse communities, abundant job opportunities, a thriving culture, and good schools, thus making it a great choice for first-time buyers. Moreover, most homes here are affordable. The average price for a home in St. Louis is about $247,274, which is lower than the average in the whole country. And since home prices are expected to go down this year, it is even better for first-time buyers to start looking for a home in St. Louis.
Benton, Arkansas
Benton, Arkansas, is a great place to purchase your first home. It is a small city with a population of around 35,000 people, and it is not too far out from Little Rock, the capital of the state. Its downtown boasts places such as the Royal Theatre, the Saline County Courthouse from 1901, and plenty of shops and restaurants. But what makes Benton shine is that it is an affordable place to buy a home. The average house price in Benton is $229,614, up by 2.0% last year. Additionally, it is family-friendly and has a good community.
Winterset, Lowa
Winterset, Iowa, is a lovely place with beautiful views and a close community, which is great for people buying their first home. The average price for homes here is $267,910. The town is famous for being the birthplace of actor John Wayne and also built a museum to honor him. Winterset was featured as a filming location for the 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County. Further, the city is close to Des Moines, but homes are still affordable, so lots of people want to live here.
Austin, Texas
Buying your first home in Austin, Texas, is an exciting step. Austin is a lively city with different neighborhoods and a strong housing market, making it a popular choice for first-time buyers. Austin offers many types of homes, from trendy condos in the city to bigger houses in the suburbs. It is one of the more expensive cities with a lot of job opportunities.
The average home value in Austin is about $546,619. First-time buyers have been finding it hard lately because prices, rates, and competition are all high. However, Austin has a good job market and different neighborhoods that suit families, young professionals, and individuals who care about safety and affordability.
Even though it is a bit pricey to live here, people still think it is a good place to invest because the city has lots of great things to offer and a strong economy.
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh is the top spot for first-time homebuyers because it’s the most affordable. The average home price there is $227,329, which is much lower than the national average. Similarly, there are lots of things that make Pittsburgh a great place to live, like the community, parks, healthcare, art, and schools.
Kennywood Park is one of the beloved places in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, they recently built the tallest rollercoaster in Pennsylvania, called The Steel Curtain.
Irondequoit, NY
Irondequoit gets its name from the Iroquois language, meaning “where the land meets the water.” It is placed between the Genesee River to the west and Irondequoit Bay to the east. Up north, it touches Lake Ontario, one of the big Great Lakes.
It is also close to Rochester, where you will find the University of Rochester and the main offices for Wegmans, Xerox, Eastman Kodak Co., and Bausch + Lomb. Irondequoit has been named the best market in the nation for first-time homebuyers for 2024 with an average value is 184,900.
Newington, CT
Newington may seem pricey compared to other places, but it is a good deal compared to fancier suburbs near Hartford, Connecticut’s capital. The home in Newington is listed for $323,761. One cool thing about Newington is that it is close to Hartford. This means you can enjoy all the fun of the state capital without living right in the busy city.
In Newington, there are plenty of places to eat, grab a coffee, and enjoy parks including Mill Pond Park and Walnut Hill Park. You can also drive a short distance to Rocky Neck State Park for more outdoor fun. In the winter, you can go ice skating at Veterans Memorial Ice Rink, or enjoy public holiday events with your family and friends.
Council Bluffs, IA
Council Bluffs, located on Iowa’s western border close to Omaha, gives first-time buyers the best of both worlds, small-town life with big-city perks nearby. It is home to the Iowa School for the Deaf, founded in 1855, and was one of the first cities in the U.S. to have electric trolleys.
President Abraham Lincoln also marked it as the start of the transcontinental railroad. People in Council Bluffs say it’s like a big small town because you always run into someone who knows your family. The average Council Bluffs home value is $202,001.
Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids is a city in the Midwest with a busy downtown area, lots of famous breweries and distilleries, and really good universities.
The city is also known for making a lot of office furniture. People like it here because it has a small-town feel and lots of great things to do, and it’s not too expensive. The average home in Grand Rapids, MI costs $276,947.
Moore, OK
Moore is only ten miles south of Oklahoma City. The suburb was severely damaged by a tornado in 2013. But despite being in a tornado-prone area, the residents have been working very hard to rebuild it.
They have added new stuff for people to enjoy, like The Station at Central Park, a big area with a gym, pool, walking paths, and a place for concerts. Additionally, there is Buck Thomas Park, a 128-acre area with plenty of space for outdoor activities, walking trails, and a dog park. The average price for a home in Moore is about $213,310.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What factors should consider in buying your first home in the US?
When buying your first home, you need to consider many things to ensure a smooth process. You must first get mortgage permission and analyze your financial status. This will help you understand how much you can afford to spend on a house. Similarly, locations play a pivotal role. You should consider how close it is to your workplace, school, and your hangout places.
2. What makes Pittsburgh the number one city for first-time homebuyers?
Pittsburgh is the top spot for first-time homebuyers because it’s the most affordable. The average home price there is $227,329, which is much lower than the national average.
3. What makes Winterset famous?
Winterset is famous for being the birthplace of actor John Wayne. Additionally, it gained recognition as a filming location for the 1995 movie, The Bridges of Madison County.
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