(The Epoch Times)—Existing single-family home prices continued to rise in 189 out of 228 U.S. metro areas in the first quarter, with some areas reporting double-digit gains, according to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
The May 8 report shows home price gains in 83 percent of metro areas, a slight decline from 89 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Home prices saw double-digit increases in 11 percent of metro areas, down from 14 percent in the previous quarter. The national median sales price of existing homes rose 3.4 percent from this time last year, to $402,300.
“Most metro markets continue to set new record highs for home prices,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun in the report. “In the first quarter, the Northeast performed best in both sales and price gains by percentage.”
Home prices in the region rose 10.3 percent.
The South registered the largest share of existing home sales at 44.9 percent in the first quarter, with a year-over-year price appreciation of 1.3 percent. Prices increased by 5.2 percent in the Midwest and 4.1 percent in the West.
Syracuse, New York, placed first in price upticks among the top 10 markets, soaring by 17.9 percent. It is the fifth most populous city in the state, and the Syracuse metro area—home to over 650,000 people—is the major urban center of central New York state.
David Manzano, Sr., president of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, told The Epoch Times he was not surprised by NAR’s findings.
“Before COVID, Syracuse was extremely affordable and I think, undervalued,” he said. “You could buy a decent single-family home for under $100,000.”
Like much of the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Syracuse experienced a significant drop in inventory as people from downstate New York and other areas moved into the metro area, taking advantage of record-low mortgage interest rates.
“We ended up with an influx of buyers, and while over the years inventory started to increase, we’re still well below the average at just 1.6 months of supply,” Manzano said.
The area has been popular with inventors purchasing homes for rentals, in addition to a large number of former residents moving back from Florida, due to concerns about the weather.
An influx of new job seekers is also expected this year as Micron Technology plans to begin construction of a massive chipmaking complex in the town of Clay in November. Located just north of Syracuse, the complex will consist of two fabrication plants to start, and possibly two additional plants over the next 20 years.
The complex would also require thousands of construction workers to build the plants, and possibly thousands of tech-savvy employees once the plants are completed. “This project will be one of the largest microchip manufacturing facilities in the state,” Manzano said.
NAR listed the Syracuse metro area’s median single-family home price at $234,300 at the end of the first quarter. Manzano indicated that as of the end of April, the median has risen to $240,000—still considered a “bargain” for someone relocating from the New York City metro area.
Following Syracuse was Montgomery, with a 16.1 percent increase, and the greater Youngstown, Ohio, metro area experienced a sales growth of 13.6 percent.
Median home prices at the end of the first quarter were listed at $230,000 in Montgomery and $161,900 in Youngstown. Long Island, New York, held fourth place with a 12 percent home price hike and median price of $779,300. Toledo, Ohio, was fifth with prices rising by 11.1 percent and a median price of $183,900.
Completing the top 10 locations with home price increases were Cleveland-Elyria, Ohio, and Rochester, New York, both with 11.1 percent price increases; Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi, at 10.5 percent; Trenton, New Jersey, at 10.4 percent; and the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pennsylvania, region at 10.2 percent.
Not surprisingly, eight of the top 10 most expensive U.S. markets were in California, with the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro region seeing home prices escalate by 9.8 percent to a new median of $2.02 million. Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine region’s median price grew by 6.2 percent to $1.45 million, while the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward region experienced price gains of 1.5 percent, to a median of $1.32 million.
Other California locations with home price gains included San Diego-Carlsbad, Salinas, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale.
Honolulu, Hawaii, and Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, Florida, rounded out the 10 most expensive U.S. metro markets.
“Very expensive home prices partly reflect multiple years of home underproduction in those metro markets,” Yun said. “Another factor is the low homeownership rates in these areas, implying more unequal wealth distribution. Affordable markets tend to have more adequate supply and higher homeownership rates.”
On the flip side, 38 of the 228 metro areas, or 17 percent, showed home price declines in the first quarter. These areas included Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Huntsville, Alabama; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; and several markets in Florida.
The NAR report also stated that housing affordability improved slightly during the first quarter. The national average monthly payment on an existing single-family home with a 20 percent down payment was $2,120. Families typically spend about 24.4 percent of their income on mortgage payments, which is down from 24.8 percent in the prior quarter.
A family income of at least $100,000 is needed to afford a 10 percent down payment mortgage in 45.1 percent of markets.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
