The pandemic unexpectedly kicked off some major economic trends… And it poured gas on others that had already started.
E-commerce was already taking market share away from brick-and-mortar businesses. But COVID-19 kicked that trend into hyperdrive.
Why visit a store when you can have stuff delivered the next day? It’s cost-effective and sure makes life simple. Once you start doing it, it’s hard to go back.
The same is true for another trend that was happening pre-pandemic. It was already a major story. And now it’s even stronger, with no signs of slowing down.
Importantly, this trend also tells us that the crazy housing market won’t end anytime soon… not in certain areas, at least.
Let me explain…
People are fleeing big cities for places with no sales tax, warmer weather, and more bang for their buck.
That trend was already underway. And the pandemic scared even more people away from crowded cities and into the suburbs.
We can see this through home-buying trends in 2020. The Wall Street Journal recently came out with some hard numbers on how big the shift really is…
The number of households leaving San Francisco doubled last year. And Los Angeles saw a 58% rise in households moving elsewhere.
The article highlights that many of those fleeing LA moved to Arizona. And some households moved to Texas or Florida. It’s not just California, either. We saw similar shifts out of New York, Chicago, and more.
More people left Chicago and New York than those who moved in.
Where are those big city dwellers deciding to go? Well, again, places like Florida and Texas. Southern states saw the largest influx of people by far, according to the report. Low taxes, warm weather, cheap housing… what’s not to like?
This is the kind of nationwide shift that drives housing demand through the roof. It’s a major tailwind for states gaining new residents.
We’re in the midst of a generational shift… like the one America saw in the 1950s. That was the first major move from cities to suburbs in America. And we are seeing a similar migration today.
This trend helps explain why the housing market is so crazy in certain parts of the U.S. Speculation is part of the story. But demand for homes is soaring overall, too, especially in states like Florida and Texas. And those places seem cheap for folks moving from high-cost areas… so cash offers above asking price are no big deal.
Overall, current home supply is nonexistent. When it comes to meeting demand, homebuilders are way behind the curve. And while they will eventually catch up, that can’t happen overnight.
This will drive housing prices higher in the U.S. But if we want to dig down deeper, Southern states are seeing even more demand than most places in the rest of the country. And that means the housing boom is sure to continue in those areas.
If you’ve been on the sidelines of the real estate market, you still have an opportunity to make money. Home prices will likely soar much higher from here before any type of slowdown starts.
Good investing,
— Chris Igou
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Source: Daily Wealth