Realtor.com on Instagram: "Housing markets across the U.S. struggled with historically strained affordability in 2025, but a handful of smaller, more budget-friendly metros stood out by offering buyers a chance to become homeowners without breaking the bank. These "refuge markets," predominantly concentrated in the traditionally affordable Midwest—with a few exceptions—posted some of the year's strongest price gains, fueled in part by an inflow of home shoppers on a budget. Full story at link in