The move to working from home during the pandemic showed many people that proximity to the office need not be the most important factor in buying a house. Instead, many homebuyers opted for more house outside the city center instead of less house within.

Atlanta is no exception, as seen in a new analysis by iBuyer Opendoor, which found that the most highly searched ZIP codes in the metro area during 2021 were in the city’s exurbs.

“Neighborhoods outside of the heart of the city will continue to be popular,” Franklin Muanankese, Opendoor’s Atlanta general manager, told Atlanta Agent. “People will continue to look for bigger homes and more space outside of major metros. Workers will have the opportunity to move farther away from office headquarters as work-from-home options remain flexible.”

Alpharetta, Canton, Cobb County and Loganville are some of the most-popular areas, Muanankese said.  

“Atlanta is a fast-growing city, and all the surrounding areas are benefitting from the increased population growth,” he said. “The areas on our list are great places to put down roots and start a family — they are home to incredible schools, a steady job market, and lots of family-friendly activities.” 

Among the hottest ZIP codes in Atlanta, one in particular stood out. Loganville, or 30052, was ranked sixth among the 10 hottest ZIP codes in the country, according to Opendoor’s national analysis, which found that warm weather was the common denominator of most of the ZIP codes. 

“From Tennessee to Texas to Georgia to San Diego, Americans are relocating for a number of reasons — and enjoying comfortable weather is one of the perks,” Opendoor said.

And for those thinking of entering the housing market today, Muanankese had some advice.

“Understand supply and demand for a particular home type and adjust your offer accordingly,” he said. “Appraisals trail the market, so if the market is hot, the value of the home is rising faster than the recent sales.”

And for potential sellers, especially those in hot ZIP codes, now is the time.

“These neighborhoods especially are seeing high buyer demand, and we don’t anticipate that slowing down,” he said. “Once you decide to sell your home, it’s wise to keep up with what’s happening in your local market. … Seeing pending-sale signs around town is a good indication that demand is high and it’s a wise time to sell.”