Oshkosh Ranks as #1 Housing Market in the Country for July

PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK

OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) –A recent Realtor.com list placed Oshkosh at the top of the hottest housing markets for the month of July.

The ranking took into account the demand for homes and the average time a listing was active on Realtor’s website.

“I think a lot of buyers see a lot of value in Oshkosh that they might not see in other markets,” said Berkshire-Hathaway Realtor Austin Bowman.

To him, Oshkosh’s #1 ranking was no surprise.

“I think there’s just a lot of community and a lot of events that people can dive into, and be a part of,” he explained. “Much less just all the lake front property. And I don’t want to say on a budget, but a lesser cost than you might pay in a different market to be on a lake. There’s a lot more options here.”

Recent buyer Ben Murphy said the draw is definitely in the location.

“It’s great, it’s an event city. There’s always things to do,” Murphy said. “There’s concerts, I mean, there’s new festivals coming up every year. EAA is a big thing. Just a lot of stuff to do here in Oshkosh.”

Alexander Anderson, another recent buyer, said it’s more than just the community events that drew them in.

“It’s a safe environment. I spent the last five years living in Milwaukee, and I can’t say the same about that area,” Anderson said.

Bowman said even with a median home price of $374,000, buyers still come in large numbers.

“I think Oshkosh attracts a lot of younger and first time home buyers. As they see other markets increasing, it becomes harder for that person entering the market to be able to enter the market and afford a house that’s now $400,000 when it used to be much less,” he said. “They can come into Oshkosh and their money goes a little bit longer.”

Berkshire Hathaway Broker Patty Wohlt says in this market, young homeowners are shifting focus on finances.

“Whether they have to refinance a vehicle, or consolidate a few things, I don’t feel like they’re as concerned with the interest rates as the bottom-line payment every month and if they can afford that,” she said.