The U.S. home prices have begun to rebound in the past year. And in the most expensive markets, where the average home sells for well over $1 million, recoveries are among the strongest, increasing between 20% and 50% in most cases.
Income in the expensive housing markets is among the highest in the country. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, median household income in these cities far exceeds the U.S. median income by at least $20,000. In Saratoga, California, one of the cities on our list, median income is nearly triple the U.S. figure of $51,914.
The two cities not in California on this list are Kailua, Hawaii, and Rye, New York. In the case of Rye, the city is located within the expensive Westchester County, within commuting distance from New York City. According to Huskey, desirable communities with access to New York City have remained stable and high-priced.
In Kailua, located on the island of Oahu — the same island as Honolulu — high prices are reflective of most of the real estate market in Hawaii. The state has limited available property, explained Huskey, which drives up prices. “While there’s only one particular market in Hawaii that reached the top ten, Hawaii proved the most expensive on an aggregate measure.”
Kailua is one of just two cities on this list not located in California. The O’ahu Island city is 12 miles northeast of Honolulu, which had a vacancy rate of 2.7% — better than most areas but considerably worse than the other areas on the list. As of October, the median price per square foot for a home in the Honolulu area was $398, more than in any other metro except for San Francisco. According to Trulia, a 0.75 acres plot of land, which includes 128 feet of beachfront, is currently for sale for $16 million in Kailua.
Read more: The 10 Most Expensive Cities to Buy a Home – 24/7 Wall St. http://247wallst.com/2012/11/28/the-10-most-expensive-cities-to-buy-a-home/
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