Realtor.com on Thursday released its top markets for first-time buyers for the upcoming home buying season.
To arrive at the ten top markets, Realtor analyzed the following five factors: market popularity, affordable list prices, supply of inventory (short supplies can cause bidding wars, pricing out first time buyers), reasonable time on market (again considering the effect of bidding wars), and steady employment.
Now, a countdown of representative homes from the top ten markets for first-time buyers.
—By Colleen Kane, special to CNBC.com
Posted 27 March 2014
Phoenix- Mesa, Ariz.
Price: $160,000
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 3
Square footage: 1,870
This adobe house in the gated community of Bailey Commons is loaded with Energy Star appliances as well as tile floors and a secret room hidden behind custom cabinets. It also has a two car garage and a patio.
Raleigh- Durham- Chapel Hill, N.C.
Price: $295,000
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 2 Full, 1 Half
Square footage: 2,871
This spacious brick home was built in 2009 but features elegant classic details like French doors, coffered ceilings, columns, crown molding and wainscoting. It also has a fenced yard and storage shed.
Dallas, Tex.
Price: $294,500
Bedrooms: 3
Baths: 1 Full
Square footage: 2,279
This brick traditional home was built in 1936 and retains period charm with built-in shelving, fireplace, and Rookwood tiles. Contemporary features include stainless steel appliances.
There's also a custom workshop with storage in the backyard.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ (PA)
Price: $350,000
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 1
Square footage: 1,848
This three-story brick rowhouse, located in the Art Museum/Fairmount area of Philadelphia was built in 1925. It has the original hardwood floors, built-in coat closets, and claw foot tub, as well as modern upgrades like subway tile back splash and high-end kitchen appliances as well as built-in surround sound.
Jacksonville, Fla.
Price: $182,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Square footage: 2,310
This single level house constructed in 2006 has vaulted ceilings, an open floor plan and a view of the lake.
Other features include a security system, a paver driveway, and an upgraded kitchen with back splash.
Orlando, Fla.
Price: $359,900
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Square footage: 3,178
This is a lot of house for a starter, with over 3,000 square feet on a 9,654 square foot lot. Built in 2005, it features an attractive stone fireplace, maple kitchen cabinets, crown moldings and other details throughout.
Outside, there's a covered front porch and a salt water pool with a breakfast nook overlooking it. It's located in South Village, which has access to a rec center with gym and a beach pool.
Fort Worth-Arlington, Tex.
Price: $175,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 2
Square footage: 2,077
This brick one-level house has plantation shutters that keep down the utility bills. It was built in 2006 and has had one owner.
The Trane heating and air conditioning system and furnace were replaced in 2011> The exterior features flagstone walkways and multi-level patio and other landscaping details.
Philadelphia, PA-NJ (NJ)
Price: $349,000
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 2 full, 1 half
Square footage: 3,000
This sizeable Vineland, NJ, colonial home has a custom kitchen with granite counter-tops, a hot tub in the master bath, and hardwood floors throughout the house. It also has a two car garage and spacious yard.
Tampa- St. Petersburg - Clearwater, Fla.
Price: $329,900
Bedrooms: 4
Baths: 3
Square footage: 2,144
This traditional style home was built in 2011 and has the hallmarks of the time, like granite counter-tops, stainless steel appliances.
It comes with 20 months of prepaid alarm service and an eight year builder warranty. In the basement, a bedroom and bath can serve as private guest accommodations, or it could be turned into a home office.
Pittsburgh, PA
Price: $350,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 half
Square footage: 2,858
This brick Colonial style townhome in Harmar township was built in 1985 and features a courtyard with a pool and a master suite on each of its two stories.