SEATTLE (970 WFLA) -- Tampa is the best market in the nation for first time home buyers, according to real estate web site Zillow.
Skylar Olsen is Zillow's senior economist. She says Tampa scored well on their five metrics, including low prices (median $195,000), better inventory, quick appreciation in value, number of listings with a price cut, and a short horizon for breaking even compared to renting. Olsen says if you're renting, you can break even buying a house in Tampa in just under two years.
Just up I-4, Orlando came in number four for first time homebuyers... Florida, Georgia and Texas have most of the best areas for new homeowners... the worst places are in California... San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose.
Olsen believes that housing affordability will affect business locations, as companies look for communities to open offices where employees can live as well as work.
Here's the Zillow top ten list for first time buyers:
1. TAMPA
2. Indianapolis
3. Houston
4. ORLANDO
5. San Antonio TX
6. St. Louis
7. Philadelphia
8. Atlanta
9. Las Vegas
10. Dallas