How the Real Estate Market is Shifting the Political Landscape

Miami Agent Magazine, a local real estate industry publication, recently posted an article about how home buying trends could affect politics in this election year. A study by Redfin “looked at the number of prospective homebuyers searching in the second quarter [of 2020] who wanted to change counties. Home search data revealed that 6.5% fewer people were looking for homes in blue (Democratic) counties than in swing or red (Republican) counties.”

As the article goes on to detail, this trend is not because people are moving for political reasons, rather it is because, in the time of quarantine, many people have left larger urban areas for more suburban or even rural areas. With working from home being so prevalent, there is not as much of a need to be in those urban blue areas, and the space and affordability of the suburban red areas have become much more appealing. According to the article, “much of that movement is away from cities in blue states like New York and California to places in red or swing states, including Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and Texas.” We are certainly feeling this shift in our market, with people from New York in particular looking for larger living spaces, warm weather, and – often most importantly – no state income tax.

It will be interesting to see how this shift in voter dynamics will affect the 2020 elections. Will historically red counties and states see a drastic change? What of those voters left in what have usually been blue localities? Which way will they lean?

Whether you live somewhere that is red, blue, or somewhere in between be sure to get out the vote!