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Suburban enclaves located within a short drive of major job hubs in the Northeast and Midwest are seeing a surge in homebuyer demand, led by a Greater Boston community with a rich industrial past as a leather manufacturing capital. Peabody, MA (ZIP 01960) climbed to the top of the annual Realtor.com® Hottest ZIP Codes of 2026 list, marking the small community's triumphant comeback to the top 10 ranking after last appearing in 2021 at the third spot. A city of roughly 55,000 inhabitants sitting just 20 minutes from downtown Boston, Peabody has greatly benefited from its close proximity to the metro's economic engine, offering buyers a tempting mix of relative affordability, larger homes with distinctive character, and a more laid-back lifestyle. The hottest ZIP code rankings from Realtor.com take into account two aspects of the housing market: market demand, as measured by unique viewers per property on the website, and the pace of the market as measured by the number of days a listing remains active. The hottest areas are those that have the most unique viewers per listed property and fast-selling homes—a sign of limited supply. The 10 Hottest Zip Codes in 2026, with Peabody, MA topping the list. (Realtor.com) This year's 10 hottest ZIP codes include Montclair, NJ (07042); Sewell, NJ (08080); Fairport, NY (14450); Westfield, MA (01085); Livonia, MI (48154); Lititz, PA (17543); North Haven, CT (06473); New Berlin, WI (53151), and Wheaton, IL (60187). The ranked ZIPs share two defining characteristics: all sit within in-demand suburban corridors near big, bustling cities, such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and all are located either in the Northeast or Midwest—regions where inventory is structurally constrained by scarcity of buildable land and zoning restrictions, putting upward pressure on prices while heightening demand. For-sale homes in the top 10 ZIPs saw on average three to five times more traffic than the typical listing nationwide and sold between 30 and 42 days faster than the U.S. norm during the first six months of 2026. "This combination of high traffic and rapid sales underscores the urgency and competitiveness that define these markets," says Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones. "Buyers in these areas are ready to act quickly and decisively, deviating from the more mellow national market." A suburb with industrial roots Peabody is located just 20 minutes from downtown Boston, offering buyers an easy access to the region's job hub. (Wangkun Jia/Adobe Stock) Named after George Peabody, a local financier and philanthropist, the North Shore town rose to prominence in the 19th century as a global powerhouse of leather-processing and tanning, earning it the nicknames "Leather City" and "Tanner City." With its industrial heydey in the past, Peabody's main commercial anchor is now the massive Northshore Mall, which is one of the region's biggest employers as well as a top shopping destination. "Peabody is a great community offering a neighborhood feel, a vibrant downtown, and close proximity to local highways," Adeline Matton, a real estate agent and broker with Aluxety Realty serving Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire, tells Realtor.com. "Peabody also has one of the lowest tax rates on the North Shore and its municipal electric department keeps utilities affordable." During the first half of this year, the typical listing in Peabody attracted more than four times the national average views per property and stayed on the market for just 20 days. With a median asking price of $667,000 as of June—roughy $230,000 higher than the national metric—homes in Peabody are far from cheap in the conventional sense. Crucially, however, they sit 20% below the Boston metro average exceeding $800,000. Jones notes that this price discount is important because Boston is Peabody’s No. 1 feeder market accounting for 70% of total buyer demand. "Rather than pulling in outside relocators, Peabody's popularity appears to reflect existing Boston-area residents shopping for a different town within reach of the same job market, a vote of confidence from people who already know the region well," says Jones. Meanwhile, New York City dominated Peabody's out-of-market segment, with Big Apple buyers accounting for nearly 9% of the ZIP code's listing traffic. Matton confirms that Bostonians continue migrating to Peabody due to its relative affordability and easy access to Boston. She says that the community's combination of shopping, businesses, and historic sites appeals to a wide range of buyers. "Peabody has become one of the North Shore's best value markets," she says. The broker notes that while the number of for-sale homes in Peabody has been on the rise lately, overall demand has remained strong. The most coveted homes in Peabody are single-family, move-in-ready properties with three to four bedrooms in the $500,000-$800,000 price range. However, even higher-end listings move quickly. According to Matton, a five-bedroom home just listed for $995,000 in Peabody generated 25 inquiries from prospective buyers in less than 24 hours. This five-bedroom home listed in Peabody, MA, for $995,000 generated 25 inquiries from would-be buyers in less than 24 hours. (Realtor.com) Peabody's median household income sits at just over $101,000 annually, which is about 17% below the salary typically required to comfortably afford the median-priced home, assuming a 20% down payment and a 6.55% mortgage rate. Yet, local buyers are able to put down a median of nearly $90,000, suggesting that shoppers within the ZIP code are drawing on existing home equity rather than purchasing as first-time buyers. Profile of a hottest-markets buyer What the 2026 rankings show is that for buyers in the top-performing communities, affordability is not always the only deciding factor. Data indicates that nine of the 10 hottest ZIP codes, with Peabody being the sole exception, are priced above their surrounding metro, signaling that buyers there are not just chasing the lowest price tag. "They want it all: a nice home in the suburbs, the amenities to match, and easy access to an economic hub," says Jones. "This reflects a broader shift in the buyer pool, which skews higher-earning and more willing to trade savings for space, amenities, and accessibility." Buyers are showing an increasing willingness to pay a premium for larger, well-established homes with plenty of character within commuting distance of big cities rather than compromising on square footage. According to Jones, the profile of the 2026 hottest ZIP codes buyer that emerges from the report is that of a person with sufficient assets who is ready to compete for a home they want and focused on long-term value. "These buyers are moving fast, thinking big, and choosing communities that offer the right blend of value, access, and quality of life," adds the economist. "As mortgage rates remain high and inventory levels gradually recover, expect these kinds of high-performing, value-driven suburban areas to remain at the forefront of market activity."

If you’re a homeowner and the start of your retirement is clearly in sight, there are a few essentials you’ll want to get in order before your next chapter begins. The biggest of which is managing your money. For most homeowners, your property isn't just where you live—it’s also likely your largest single financial asset and your most consistent recurring expense. Transitioning from a steady paycheck to living off savings changes the dynamic of keeping up a home. Smart savers and planners likely have their finances in order for when they’re no longer working. (However, there are as many equally money-savvy people forced to keep working through their retirement years given the current cost of living.) But there’s a recommended timeline when it comes to preparing your finances for retirement, and some steps are specific to homeowners. 1 year from retirement: Decide when you’ll claim Social Security If you’re heading into retirement, you’ve likely paid close attention to the headlines on Social Security. The impending funding shortfall means that, if no action is taken, seniors will collect far less from the government than they once did. So collecting sooner rather than later might be to your benefit. While there is no universal "best" age to claim Social Security, you can begin collecting Social Security as soon as you turn 62. But the longer you wait, the larger your monthly checks will be. Either way, you must start collecting at age 70. This information is particularly important to those who intend to remain homeowners after retirement. In the past five years, the cost of homeownership has jumped 26% and, as of now, Social Security alone is enough to cover the living expenses in only 10 states, according to the Realtor.com® analysis of median Social Security benefits by state and the Elder Economic Security Standard Index. With that said, if your projected Social Security benefit falls short of covering your baseline housing expenses, you have a year to build a backup plan—whether that means planning to tap into home equity down the road, looking into a reverse mortgage, or weighing the pros and cons of downsizing. 9 months from retirement: Review your yearly housing costs Your mortgage is only one part of the homeownership equation. Over time, property taxes, home insurance premiums, and maintenance costs can quietly rival a monthly mortgage payment. A smart move is to take stock and do a housing cost audit of these expenses—so as to keep you from ultimately losing your home just to make ends meet. "Older homeowners could struggle with insurance lapses or nonrenewal (increasingly common in high-risk states such as Texas, Florida, and California), HOA fees and special assessments, and deferred maintenance that compounds into uninhabitable conditions, any of which could ultimately cost them their home," explains Realtor.com senior economist Hannah Jones. Let’s break it down piece by piece: First, you should review your home insurance policy before you retire—and don't let your homeowners insurance stay on autopilot. Compare rates across carriers, evaluate whether your coverage accounts for recent home renovations or increased rebuild costs, and consider raising your deductible if you have sufficient emergency cash. Then, as you head into your golden years, you should check to see if you get a deduction on your property taxes as a senior. Many states and municipalities offer property tax relief for homeowners. Look into local "senior freezes" that cap your property tax rate, homestead exemptions, or tax deferral programs. Applying for these early can save thousands in fixed costs. As for annual maintenance, take stock of your home and what hasn’t been repaired recently. How is your roof looking? Is the water heater working at optimal strength? Whether you’re looking to sell or settling into your nest, you’ll want to make sure that your home essentials are well maintained or replaced while you have a steady stream of income to fund these repairs and replacements. Florida recorded the highest total inbound moves (45,696) among residents aged 65-plus, but also saw 44,881 outbound moves, according to Hire a Helper. 6 months from retirement: Decide on a withdrawal plan and review your budget By six months out, you need a clear blueprint for how your investment portfolio will support your daily living setup. A standard withdrawal rate (such as 3% to 4% annually) works as a general guideline, but your home creates unique demands. “Retirees with a mortgage should consider a more conservative withdrawal rate, perhaps around 3%, to ensure they can cover their mortgage payments and other essential expenses without depleting their savings too quickly,” explains Jake Falcon, CEO at Falcon Wealth Advisors in Kansas City, MO. But even if you don’t have a mortgage, this rate might be closer to what makes sense for you. But for starters, work out which accounts you’ll pull from first. Drawing from taxable brokerage accounts first while allowing tax-deferred accounts like traditional IRAs to grow can help manage your tax bracket. Once you have that in hand, it’s time to consider your budget. A big consideration is deciding whether it makes financial sense to pay off your remaining mortgage balance before retiring. Eliminating a mortgage payment reduces your required monthly withdrawal amount and frees up cash flow, but wiping out your liquid savings to do so can leave you cash-poor. “Ultimately, the financial plan should allow for some cushion and change as life changes,” explains Falcon. Finally, just because you're retired, doesn’t mean you’re done saving. It’s recommended that you keep a separate cash reserve specifically for home repairs, independent of your general 3- to 6-month emergency fund. A sudden main line plumbing repair shouldn't force you to sell stocks during a market downturn. 3 months from retirement: Get your estate in order As the final countdown begins, shift your focus to planning your home’s extended future. Your house is likely the most valuable physical item you will leave behind to your kids and family, and transferring real estate without proper planning can create lengthy, expensive legal hurdles for those you leave behind. Of course, you can start with a basic will, but that often subjects your home to probate court, which can take months and incur significant legal fees. Estate attorneys can help you take things a step further by setting up a revocable living trust or executing a transfer-on-death deed (if allowed in your state). These tools allow your property to transfer directly to your designated heirs without probate intervention. Finally, while it may be a difficult conversation, talk openly with your heirs about your intentions for the property. Clarify whether they intend to keep the home, rent it out, or sell it.

A stone villa inspired by the palazzos of Venice, featuring boat-in, boat-out access and set in the heart of Texas Hill Country, has hit the market for $8.5 million. Built in 2014, the six-bedroom, 10-bath residence at 113 La Posada in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, roughly 50 miles northwest of Austin, spans three estate lots inside Escondido Golf and Lake Club. It covers roughly two acres and more than 1,000 feet of shoreline along Lake Lyndon B. Johnson. The listing is held by Patrice Emrie of Horizon Realty. The home was previously listed at $9.9 million, but now comes with a roughly $1.4 million price reduction. The new owners of this property have boat-in, boat-out access to the $8.5 million stone villa. (Realtor.com) Set across three floors, the homes are as lavish as the exteriors. (Realtor.com) The outdoor area features a full kitchen, and a wood-fired pizza oven. (Realtor.com) The interior of the home boasts stucco, grand archways and is awash in terra-cotta, and features hand-selected designer materials and furnishings. It also features coffered and wood detailing throughout the property, and 14-foot ceilings. There are multiple living, dining and media spaces—with all floors connected by an elevator. A game room, loft, sunroom, study and chef's kitchen complete with butler's pantry round out the floor plan. Amenities include a climate-controlled wine cellar, and a built-in freshwater aquarium that holds 650 gallons. As lavish as the interiors are, the outdoor area is where this villa shows its full potential. The outdoor kitchen comes complete with a built-in dishwasher, a grilling station and a wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a resort-style pool and spa, an outdoor fireplace and lounge, and a rooftop patio angled for sunsets. This home was most certainly intended for a golfer, and the property itself includes a private putting green, chipping area, sand trap and a 70-yard practice shot. Set within the grounds of Escondido's Tom Fazio-designed course—which is consistently ranked among the top private layouts in the state—the club's $160,000 initiation fee will also be waived for the next owners. One of six bedrooms inside the home (Realtor.com) A unique soaking tub inside one of the 10 bathrooms (Realtor.com) The property comes with a private putting green, chipping area, sand trap and a 70-yard practice shot. (Realtor.com) Guests to the property can arrive the Venetian way. A private, enclosed boat dock holds three slips and a constant-level reservoir that doesn't draw down seasonally the way many Hill Country lakes do. Horseshoe Bay sits at the center of the Highland Lakes, an easy weekend distance from both Austin and San Antonio. And, yes, guests can arrive the Venetian way. A private, enclosed boat dock holds three slips and a constant-level reservoir that doesn't draw down seasonally the way many Hill Country lakes do.

An abandoned New York City building with bricked-up windows, rotting plywood, and rusted chains on the front door would make most prospective buyers run in the opposite direction. But for South Carolina couple Laureta Gjata and James Gale, these forgotten structures are pure gold. Today, Gjata and Gale operate Gale Guesthouses, a hospitality business dedicated to restoring historical properties across the city and converting them into unique rentals on Airbnb. Long before either of them picked up a sledgehammer, both founders developed the resilience needed to tackle ambitious goals through vastly different life paths. Gjata, 39, has a background in customer-facing hospitality. She immigrated to Greece from Albania as a young refugee during the war in 1997. While she remembers feeling embarrassed as the kid in school who didn't speak the language, she credits those challenging years with laying the foundation to overcome tough renovation challenges. "Back then, it seemed like the worst thing that could happen to a kid," Gjata explains. "But looking back, some of the skills that I have have been useful to our journey restoring these buildings." Gjata eventually moved to New York to pursue acting, supporting herself from age 17 as a server and bartender. Laureta Gjata and James Gale operate Gale Guesthouses, a hospitality business dedicated to restoring historical properties across the city and converting them into unique rentals on Airbnb. (James Gale and Laureta Gjata) When Gjata and Gale met, their shared love of historical architecture quickly became the focal point of their relationship. (James Gale and Laureta Gjata) Originally from Connecticut, Gale, 49, spent roughly 25 years working in the energy industry, specializing in physical natural gas trading and risk management. While corporate risk management seems distant from historical home renovation, it provided the precise skill set required to evaluate intimidating real estate deals, structure finances, and manage daily operations. "We both have those qualities that we need for each half of it," Gale says. "I can't do the things she does on the hospitality side, and I think she doesn't have any interest in doing the other aspect of it." Together, the couple balance both halves of the business seamlessly, taking their role as hosts deeply to the heart. "If someone comes to my table and I'm going to wait on them, or they come to our building and we're going to host them, it's like a mission," Gjata explains. "You're here for a good time. I don't know what problems are going to come up, but we got it." An accidental start The transition into property management didn't happen overnight. Around 2015, while living in Astoria, Queens, Gjata found herself responsible for the full rent of a three-bedroom apartment after her roommates suddenly moved out. To cover costs, a friend suggested listing the spare rooms on Airbnb. "It was incredible ... meeting all these people from all over the world," Gjata explains. "That's where the idea started, of what if I can find a place, make it my own, and host all these people and cook for them, and share my favorite spots of the city." Later, Gjata experimented with rental arbitrage in Hell’s Kitchen, taking over a neglected unit from a property management company. She agreed to fix up the rundown apartment at her own expense in exchange for listing rights. That project solidified her calling. "I want to fix places that are not in the best shape and make them nice for people to come and stay,"Gjata shares. A shared love of architecture When Gjata and Gale met, their shared love of historic architecture quickly became the focal point of their relationship. The couple spent their early weeks together riding bicycles through Brooklyn and touring open houses. While Gale evaluates every potential deal through building codes and financial metrics, Gjata relies on an emotional connection. “I'm the romantic. I'm not the numbers person,” Gjata says. “But you cannot really explain [it]. It's almost as if we don’t really choose the houses. They choose us. The minute you see it, you know.” The couple purchased their first property, a Brooklyn brownstone, in 2019. (James Gale and Laureta Gjata) The second renovation took significantly longer, largely due to needing specialized architects and Department of Buildings permits. (James Gale and Laureta Gjata) Renovating properties The couple purchased their first property, a Brooklyn brownstone, in 2019. The project—dubbed the Madison Guesthouse—proved to be a true trial by fire. The abandoned structure suffered from frozen, burst pipes and lacked functional heat and water. Aside from major plumbing work, the couple and their family completed the entire renovation hands-on while living onsite in a ground-floor studio. Through sheer grit and determination, they managed to welcome their first guests within just three months. While Madison Guesthouse was intended to serve as both their personal residence and a guesthouse, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it challenging to balance life and work. Gale was working remotely in the hallway of their tiny studio apartment, guests were knocking for fresh towels, and the couple had just welcomed their first child. The family relocated to the Finger Lakes to save money while planning their return to the city. In late 2020, they poured their savings into a second Brooklyn brownstone: the Macon Guesthouse. “The house [was] calling us,” Gjata says. “We saw it, and there goes again the dream of getting our home.” This second renovation took significantly longer, largely due to needing specialized architects and Department of Buildings permits. Although hiring professional contractors eased the physical burden, the overhaul took nearly two years before it was opened in mid-2022. Though Macon didn't become their permanent residence either, the couple cherished the process and the growth that came with it. “You get into your eyes, you get into your mind what can be done, and I think that grows on you,” Gale explains. “So each iteration has been a better version of the one before, with a bigger eye on detail, a bigger eye on historical significance, a bigger eye on the pieces of what we can do to bring back the old into the new.” A new project The couple are currently working on their third major renovation: a Brooklyn limestone they are transforming into the Halsey Guesthouse. Even as this project nears completion, another is likely right around the corner. “I've always wanted to tell stories,” Gjata says. “I didn't know it [was going to be] telling the stories of these old historical buildings. But here we are, and I'm so so happy that we're doing that.” While their ultimate goal is to renovate a permanent dream home and relocate back to Brooklyn from South Carolina, Gale admits it isn't easy to slow down: “It's hard when the next project keeps calling.”