Searching for Homes During the Polar Vortex

Searching for Homes During the Polar Vortex

When winter strikes, home searches rise. For every ten-degree drop in temperature, searches increase by 2.6% nationally, 4.4% for homes in warm regions, and 5.5% for homes in warm vacation areas.

Brrr. It’s cold outside – still. Winter has been rough for much of the United States, with temperatures plummeting far below normal.

 We analyzed search traffic on Trulia between December 1, 2013, and January 21, 2014, to see how daily temperature fluctuations affected home-search patterns. It’s clear as a bone-chilling winter morning: when the cold wind blows, home searches increase – especially for homes in warmer parts of the country.

Metros Where Searches Rise the Most When Winter Strikes
#	U.S. Metro of homes searched	Increase in searches for each 10-degree drop where the searcher is
1	Miami, FL	7.3%
3	Jacksonville, FL	6.4%
6	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	6.3%
10	Fort Lauderdale, FL	6.1%

Let’s Be Snowbirds.

 In cold weather, searches to warm vacation areas jumped even more than searches to warm places in general. But you don’t need to move to Florida to avoid winter – you just need a second home there. Vacation areas where search traffic jumped most include several beach towns in Florida.

4	Pinellas, FL	St Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, Clearwater Beach	7.2%
5	Osceola, FL	Celebration, Kissimmee	7.1%
6	Bay, FL	Panama City Beach	7.0%
9	Broward, FL	Hollywood Beach, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach	6.6%
10	Collier, FL	Marco Island	6.4%

What does it all mean?

 Well Florida continues to be a destination for Snowbirds and Full Time Residents. Businesses flourish, property values continue to rise, the tax base increases all while living in Paradise.

As January comes to an end, temperatures are once again dropping in much of the country. Spring is yet to be sprung. Appreciate living in South Florida, Summer will be here soon enough!