The 10 Best Cities to Buy a Home in 2026

Homebuyers are finally gaining the upper hand in the real estate market.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:47am

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Realtor.com identified 10 metros where buyers have the most bargaining power, with the majority located in the Sun Belt region. Florida has the most cities on the list, as growing supply has coincided with softening demand amid rising housing costs that have pushed more buyers to the sidelines.

Why it matters

The shift in the real estate market is giving power back to buyers, who face less competition and have more choices. This is a significant change from the market conditions of 2020, when buyers fought over scarce listings and sellers had more leverage.

The details

The 10 strongest metros for homebuyers, according to Realtor.com, are: Miami, Austin, Pittsburgh, Orlando, New York, Tampa, Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Raleigh, and Nashville. These cities have seen a surplus of homes for sale, with demand softening due to higher mortgage rates, a shakier economy, and still-high prices.

  • The real estate market has shifted from the conditions of 2020, when buyers faced intense competition and sellers had more leverage.

The players

Realtor.com

A real estate listing website that identified the 10 metros where buyers have the most bargaining power.

Hannah Jones

A senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com who provided insights on the real estate market in Florida.

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What they’re saying

“In Florida, growing supply has coincided with softening demand amid rising housing costs that have pushed more buyers to the sidelines.”

— Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst

The takeaway

The shift in the real estate market is giving power back to buyers, who now face less competition and have more choices. This is a significant change from the market conditions of 2020, when buyers had to fight over scarce listings and sellers had more leverage.