12 Places Where Homes Now Take Much Longer to Sell

The spring home-selling season is well underway. But in some U.S. markets, buyers are taking their time before committing to a new home.

Across the U.S., homes spent a median of 50 days on the market before selling in March, according to a Realtor.com survey. But in some places, the length of time on market was considerably longer.

In these places, homes no longer are being snapped up seemingly overnight, as they were during the recent housing boom. That is good news for homebuyers, even as it causes some angst for sellers.

Among the 200 largest U.S. metro areas, here are the markets where homes are taking longest to sell.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 64 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $305,000

In September 1779, the Battle of Baton Rouge took place in this city. It was the only battle of the American Revolution that was not fought in one of the 13 original U.S. colonies.

Cape Coral, Florida

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 64 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $474,100

Cape Coral has earned its nickname as the “Waterfront Wonderland.” There are more than 400 miles of navigable waterways in this city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The number of canals here tops any other location in the world, including Venice, Italy.

Naples, Florida

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 64 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $849,000

Travel about 36 miles southeast of Naples, and you will run into the Ochopee Post Office. At just 8 feet, 4 inches deep and 7 feet wide, it is the smallest post office in the U.S.

Longview, Texas

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 64 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $305,500

In the 1930s, Longview was a sleepy town of about 5,000 people. The population jumped to nearly 14,000 by 1940 due to the discovery of oil in the area.

Waco, Texas

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 66 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $345,000

In Waco, Texas, you can spend a day at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum as well as the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. Then, relax afterward with a Dr Pepper, which was invented here.

Huntington, West Virginia

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 66 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $179,950

Huntington is known for its large park system. The American Planning Association once named the most famous of these parks — Ritter Park — as one of the top 10 public spaces in America.

Crestview, Florida

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 66 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $644,000

Crestview reaches a maximum elevation of 235 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest points in Florida. It’s also the state’s rainiest spot, getting 65 inches of the wet stuff each year.

New Orleans

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 67 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $329,000

New Orleans is famous as the birthplace of jazz music. But in 1770, it was the first city in the United States to host an opera performance.

Utica, New York

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 68 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $239,900

When Prohibition was finally repealed in the United States on Dec. 5, 1933, Utica Club was the first beer officially available for sale. The West End Brewing Co. in the city of Utica, New York, brewed the beer, which is still available for sale to this day.

Brownsville, Texas

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 68 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $308,000

With an area of about 150 square miles, Brownsville is the largest city in the Rio Grande Valley. The U.S. border city has seen local wealth quadruple in the past 15 years.

Punta Gorda, Florida

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 69 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $419,000

The Spanish term Punta Gorda translates into “Fat Point” in English. The town earned that name because it’s on land that juts out into Charlotte Harbor — one of the largest natural harbors in the U.S.

Lafayette, Louisiana

As of March, homes in this metropolitan area:

• Were on the market for a median of 69 days
• Were listed for a median list price of $259,250

Lafayette is among the U.S. cities with the most restaurants per capita. The city even hosts EatLafayette, a yearlong celebration of the city’s local restaurants where patrons can take advantage of deals.