Prime Buyers Flock to Hot U.S. ZIP Codes, Creating Openings for Lenders

Realtor.com’s annual Hottest ZIP Codes report ranks markets using listing views per property and days on market, identifying pockets where demand remains fierce despite elevated mortgage rates and strained affordability. The 2025 leaders are largely suburbs tied to major economic centers, drawing older, higher-income buyers with stronger credit and more home equity. For banks and mortgage originators, that concentration offers a targeted pool of borrowers able to absorb higher prices while presenting comparatively attractive credit risk.

Realtor.com released the ranking on Aug. 4, 2025, using listing data from January through June. Beverly, Massachusetts, ZIP code 01915, ranked first with a median listing price of $746,000. Across the top 10 ZIP codes, household income averaged $114,000, compared with $79,000 nationally, while the average FICO score was 759 versus 748. Down payments ranged from $42,000 to $143,000, exceeding the $30,000 national benchmark, and listings drew 3.3 to 5.2 times the typical U.S. traffic.