The internet changed the way we shop for homes. These days, hopeful home buyers typically start their search online before heading out to look at houses that seem like a good fit. Online searches are certainly convenient for potential buyers but they’re also a good way of tracking what buyers want and where they’re looking. One new analysis looked at page-view traffic – along with home price growth and days on market – in an effort to narrow down which were the most popular markets of 2023. The results show that last year’s home buyers were more interested in smaller towns than big cities. In fact, of the top 10 most popular markets, only one had a population of more than 100,000. The reason may be obvious. Affordability was a factor for buyers in 2023 and smaller towns offer buyers better opportunities to find a house that won’t break their budget. Regionally, the Northeast dominated the top 10 markets with Connecticut taking four of the top 10 spots and West Chester, Pennsylvania claiming the top spot. (source)