Americans are resuming their house hunting online after taking a pause during the initial stages of the COVID-19 outbreak. One way to track potential buyer interest: internet searches.<\/p>\n
10 Metros With the Largest Spikes in Google Searches<\/strong><\/p>\n
The following cities have seen the largest increases in Google searches for the term \u201chomes for sale\u201d since reaching a 2020 low earlier this year.<\/p>\n
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- Tucson, Ariz.<\/li>\n
- Rochester, N.Y.<\/li>\n
- Jacksonville, Fla.<\/li>\n
- Miami<\/li>\n
- Seattle<\/li>\n
- Grand Rapids, Mich.<\/li>\n
- Memphis, Tenn.<\/li>\n
- Milwaukee<\/li>\n
- New Orleans<\/li>\n
- Cincinnati, Ohio<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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LendingTree\u2019s team analyzed Google search data to see how popular the search term \u201chomes for sale\u201d is in 50 of the nation\u2019s largest metros. Overall, searches for the term \u201chomes for sale\u201d have risen in every metro tracked, compared to their 2020 lows at the onset of the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S..<\/p>\n
By the end of April, the number of property searches had rebounded by 54%.<\/p>\n
The metros with the largest percentage increase in Google searches for \u201chomes for sale\u201d: Tucson, Ariz. (up 164.71% by the end of April compared to its 2020 low); Rochester, N.Y. (up 118.92%); and Jacksonville, Fla. (up 96.08%).<\/p>\n
From March to April, Tucson, New Orleans, and Miami posted the largest month-over-month increases in property search growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are probably people who think there are going to be bargains in the marketplace,\u201d says Tendayi Kapfidze, LendingTree\u2019s chief economist, about the property search rebound. \u201cThey might be anticipating that there will be fewer buyers competing because many people have had a disruption to their incomes or are uncertain about the outlook for their jobs. The low interest rates also make it an attractive time.\u201d<\/p>\n