Most people consider buying a house to be one of their biggest investments.

According to recent research, the location of your home can have a significant impact on its value. SmartAsset studyThis ranking was based upon the rate of growth in real estate market value over time.

Study examined the home values of 400 cities in America from 1997 to 2005. Each was ranked based on price stability and growth. 

Texas is the most popular of all 10 top locations with Austin being first.

SmartAsset considered two factors when ranking the market: Price growth over the past 25 years and price stability. This is calculated by the probability that a property’s price will drop by 5% or more in any of the 10 years following the purchase. 

It is important to note the difference in rankings between top and bottom-ranked markets. 

The study found that Austin homes have an average value increase of 3688% over 1997, and there is only a 0% chance for a loss of value of 5% in the next 10 years.

This is compared to Flint, Michigan which has the second lowest ranking market. The average home has appreciated 83% over the same period. There is a 45% chance that it will lose 5% or more within 10 years.

Although past performances are not indicative of future performance, this study gives a glimpse into the market’s desireability over time. 

Austin homes offer a higher return than average for an investment. 9.35% return on the S&P 500 in that time. This is significantly more than Flint’s average annual return of 3.44% over the past 25 years.

Several other cities also outpaced the year-over-year gains in the S&P index in the last 25 years, including Boulder, Colorado; Midland, Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Fort Collins, Colorado.

All of this assumes that you have the financial means to purchase a home on such a hot market. Although prices vary by region, the overall cost of a home continues to rise: The median sales price for existing homes in the U.S. is up by 15% compared to this time last year, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. 

Although home sales declined in February, the prices of homes are still expected to rise. remain elevatedFor the remainder of the year.

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