Top Reasons for Moving

1. Proximity to Family and Friends:
   • 30% of recent clients moved for this reason, and it was the primary motivator for 23%.
2. More Home for the Money:
   • 21% cited this as a reason, with 12% identifying it as their top priority.
3. Other Reasons:
   • Lower taxes and safer neighborhoods (16% each)
   • Proximity to work (15%)

Regional Moving Patterns

• 46% moved to the South, driven by:
  • Lower taxes (19%)
  • Favorable costs
• 25% moved to the West, prioritizing:
  • Getting more home for their money (24%)
• Midwest and Northeast trends:
  • Movers to the Northeast sought proximity to work (22%).
  • Midwest movers valued safety and outdoor space.

Interstate and Intrastate Moves

• 36% moved to a different state, particularly to the South and West.
• Most movers (63%) relocated within the same state, often staying within their city or metro area.

Broader Trends and Preferences

• Remote Work Influence:
  • Job location wasn’t a factor for 43%, with many working remotely. Only 2% moved due to return-to-office policies.
• Timing:
  • Spring and early summer (April–June) were the most common times to initiate home purchases.
• Home Features:
  • Outdoor spaces (42%), additional square footage (31%), and quieter areas (24%) topped preferences.

Migration by State

Top states by net migration in 2023 include:

• Florida (372,870)
• Texas (315,301)
• North Carolina (126,712)
• South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee also saw significant inflows.

Insights from NAR Experts

Jessica Lautz, NAR’s deputy chief economist, emphasized the draw of support systems and financial benefits, noting these trends are especially appealing to retirees and remote workers.

The report underscores a continued migration flow toward affordability, family connections, and lifestyle-driven relocations. Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into any of these findings!