Nationwide, homeowners are most likely to spend money on a fresh coat of paint to upgrade the exterior of their house. But can the same be said for Houston residents?

Home might really be where the heart is. According to a new Zillow survey, 42% of recent homebuyers reported finding love after buying their new home.

The median home price in Houston declined 0.4% to $336,000 during the fourth quarter, while the monthly mortgage payment rose to $2,460, up from $2,350 a year ago.

Single-family home sales prices increased in 189 out of 221 metro areas analyzed, with the median single-family price in the country rising 3.5% year over year to $391,700.

Redfin points to surge in prices, new luxury listings and a boost in sales as affluent homebuyers and sellers show increased activity.

The most popular area was Fulshear/South Brookshire/Simonton, which saw a 103.6% increase in home sales year over year.

River Oaks ranked as the most expensive Houston neighborhood at $481 per square foot — but it wasn’t the only Houston neighborhood in the 610 Loop to make the list.

Pending home sales rose 8.3% month over month, the National Association of REALTORS® said, marking the largest monthly jump since 2020. 

Agents from Allie Beth Allman & Associates are responsible for three of the top 10 most expensive new listings in Dallas this past month.

Declining interest rates spurred the increase. 

Notably, renovators are less likely than they were a year ago to undergo kitchen modifications for the purpose of improving the home’s resale value.

At the same time, the median sales price rose 4.4% to $382,600. 

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) rose seven points to 44, its second monthly increase in a row. 

The priciest Houston home sold in December was a nearly $12 million mansion in River Oaks Country Club Estates.

Nearly all millennials — 93% — say a volatile market is to blame for wrecking homebuying plans, with another 76% saying they expect the market to get worse before they’re able to make a purchase themselves.

CoreLogic expects prices to continue to grow through the year.