Metrostudy does a 100% count within markets across the country of move-ins into newly-built homes. This is a powerful and reliable measure of end-user demand. The top two markets have outsized percentage changes because they are starting from a low base number. In terms of the large markets, Central Florida has seen a 24.3% increase in new home demand in the past year, and Charlotte, NC, has seen a 23.4%. Atlanta, which was savaged by the downturn, has seen a 22.9% increase. New home construction is picking up in all of these markets, as builders scramble to meet increased demand.
Here are the top 15 markets by change in move-ins:
Rank |
Market |
2Q13 Move-Ins |
2Q14 Move-Ins |
% Change |
1 |
Reno |
233 |
464 |
99.1% |
2 |
Rio Grande Valley |
336 |
466 |
38.7% |
3 |
Central Florida |
3,104 |
3,859 |
24.3% |
4 |
Charlotte |
1,643 |
2,027 |
23.4% |
5 |
Atlanta |
2,508 |
3,082 |
22.9% |
6 |
Northern Virginia |
865 |
1,037 |
19.9% |
7 |
Jacksonville |
1,119 |
1,303 |
16.4% |
8 |
Sarasota/Bradenton |
647 |
739 |
14.2% |
9 |
St.George/Mesquite |
296 |
336 |
13.5% |
10 |
Austin |
2,216 |
2,497 |
12.7% |
11 |
Houston |
6,072 |
6,797 |
11.9% |
12 |
Nashville |
1,101 |
1,217 |
10.5% |
13 |
Dallas/Ft.Worth |
4,775 |
5,249 |
9.9% |
14 |
Central California |
1,496 |
1,627 |
8.8% |
15 |
South Florida |
938 |
1,020 |
8.7% |