Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach County ranked among the nation’s five hottest single-family markets, according to a new report released Thursday by Ten-X.
Fort Lauderdale dropped from second to fifth place this year in Ten-X’s Top Single-Family Housing Markets Report for Spring 2016. Palm Beach County rose a few spots to land at No. 4. Seattle and Portland remained in first and second place, respectively, and Nashville was No. 3.
Other Florida cities also register spots on the list: Orlando at sixth place; Tampa at 11th; Miami at No. 19 and Jacksonville at No. 31.
Ten-X ranked the top 50 markets across the United States based on a combination of factors, including rising home prices, home appreciation, affordability and economic and demographic conditions.
According to the report, Palm Beach County experienced a 14.1 percent growth in home prices year-over-year, while Fort Lauderdale saw home prices rise by 8 percent. Home sales were up 2 percent and 1.7 percent in Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale, respectively, Ten-X found.
While both South Florida markets have bounced back from the economic downturn of a few years ago, home prices remain far below their peak levels, suggesting room for continued growth, the report said. At a median sales price of $247,000, Palm Beach County is still 18 percent below its peak. At $227,000, Fort Lauderdale prices are still 22 percent below their prior peak, according to the report.
“Palm Beach County and Fort Lauderdale embody the ongoing recovery effort seen in many Florida markets, leaving ample opportunity for future growth as housing fundamentals remain below pre-recession levels,” the report said.