What’s new with the real estate market in June? In this data report, we will discuss the top 10 counties where we have generated the highest number of motivated seller leads. We will dive deep into why these counties are seeing a surge in distressed sellers.
We break down the county-level problems, so you can capture those leads and close more deals in the next 30 days.
We have consistently generated thousands of leads from Wayne County in the last year. It’s easier to acquire motivated seller leads if you know the reason and where to search.
If you look at headlines, Wayne County has a stable job market. The mortgage rates are close to 6%. Home prices have appreciated by 1.3% on a YoY basis, but the headlines don’t capture the complete picture. Distressed properties are available in various submarkets of Wayne County. There are deep pockets of instability in Detroit and surrounding areas. Property taxes in Wayne County are high relative to home values, which pushes up the general cost of homeownership. The median DOM is 21.
But the number of sold homes has gone down by 16.5%. While homeowners have bought at low prices, the current appreciation rate is too low to justify high mortgage rates and other expenses related to owning a property. If a homeowner needs money, they might not have the equity to refinance or get a HELOC. The only option remaining is to sell the property. These layered costs, which are disproportionately high relative to property values in Wayne County, contribute to the rising number of distressed sellers.
Cook County represents a stable housing market with more homes sold in May this year compared to last year. Prices are rising gradually with a yearly increase of 4.6%. On average, homes in Cook County sell within 46 days rather than 48 as seen last year. Everything looks fine on paper, so why do an increasing number of people want to sell their homes fast for cash in Cook County, IL? Here is something that’s often overlooked if you just browse Zillow or Redfin market reports:
It’s not a typical distressed market, but a house will not sell if it requires significant repairs or is not priced correctly. In the last few years, the cost of ownership has increased faster than the perceived value, leaving many homeowners equity poor. Many landlords are looking to exit the market because of strict laws and rising taxes on rental units.
Clark County is one of the classic, distressed counties in our list. The labor force in Clark, NV heavily relies on the massive hospitality and entertainment industry. That means fluctuations in the entertainment sector can affect the labor force, unlike in a diversified job market. We can see the impact as the unemployment rate in Clark County is hovering above the 5% mark.
Another factor is at play. Clark County is home to thousands of investors. People invest in rental properties there, but for the past year, rental growth has been stagnant. Property values are not rising; in fact, they are going down. Last year, home prices were down by 2.7%. That means the equity is not increasing, and the rental rates are not enough to sustain high property taxes charged on non-owner-occupied properties.
If you consider the foreclosure rate, Nevada is among the top 5 states with the worst foreclosure rates in the country, with Clark County being hit hard. People are having a hard time selling their properties, and more than 59% of homes sell below the asking price.
Housing affordability is a major concern in many parts of California, and Riverside County is no exception. Overall, property values are down by 0.8%, with 37% of homes selling below the listing price.
For many people, Riverside remains more affordable than coastal California, but the crisis can’t be ignored. Nationwide high mortgage rates combined with inflation, insurance premiums (wildfire risk exposure), and high utilities are making it challenging to own a property in Riverside, CA. The unemployment rate in Riverside sits just below the 5% mark, which is not good news for an expensive housing market.
It takes more than 49 days to sell a house in Riverside. Combine that with declining home values, and you will see that many homeowners are pressured to seek an alternative option.
*According to a recent ATTOM Data Report, California and Florida are among the high-risk housing markets because of affordability issues, unemployment rates, and foreclosure activity. The risk is highest in counties where the unemployment rate is more than 5%.
Broward County has consistently appeared in our monthly data reports, but the factors causing distress are not always the same. One of the most noticeable changes is the unemployment rate, which is 4.4%. It’s still near the national average, but it has gone up from 3.3% in May 2025. (Miami-Dade County and Palm Beach County are also facing the same unemployment rate).
It’s an alarming sign because homeowners in Florida are already facing affordability pressure from multiple directions. Home prices are seeing a downward trend (4.1% from last year), and it takes more than 80 days to sell a house in Broward County. It’s no surprise that homeowners are facing pressure to choose a cash sale. Keep an eye on Broward County, as this area will deliver a steady flow of distressed sellers.
Maricopa County is showing major signs of distress. Home values are going down, and they have decreased by 3.8% in the last year. Despite lower prices, 47.3% of homes sell below the listing price. Not only have prices cooled, it’s also taking longer to sell a house in Maricopa County. You can expect a property to spend 84+ days on the market. All of these factors make it extremely challenging to sell a house that requires repairs. Homeowners cannot choose a retail sale if they need money urgently.
Pasco County highlights several distress factors. The unemployment rate is significantly higher than last year. It’s 5.1% right now; home prices have declined, and more than 67% of properties sell below the listing price. On average, it takes 42 days to sell a house in Pasco, FL.
Florida homeowners may be rich in equity, but a significant portion of the population is facing affordability concerns. The situation is evident from multiple issues. The median household income lags behind the national average, and insurance premiums are still at an all-time high. A house with a 20-year-old roof either can’t be insured or the insurance premiums are substantial. There is a steady rise in foreclosure filings in Pasco, FL. Investors should keep an eye on this market to help homeowners before it gets too late.
Home prices are down by 2.3% in Harris County. Texas was famous for providing affordable housing options, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging to afford homeownership. It’s not just about the price of a property. Homeowners must bear rising insurance premiums due to hurricanes and recent weather issues. More than 60% of homes sell below the listing price in Harris, TX, and it takes more than 42 days to sell a house here.
Harris County is not a typical distressed market, but high property taxes, insurance premiums, frequent repair problems, and an unemployment rate of 4.3% create problems for homeowners living on a small income.
Bexar County is a buyer’s market with home prices softening gently without crashing. Compared to last year, home values have gone down by 2.1%. More than 61% of homes sell below the listing price in Bexar. The affordability issue is faced by homeowners who have just owned their properties for a couple of years. Many people bought at peak prices, but prices have not kept up with inflation. Those homeowners (especially those on an adjustable-rate mortgage) are facing trouble with home maintenance and high insurance premiums to cover heat- and storm-related events.
Orange County is one of the most unaffordable places for homeowners. It would take 88.1% of the typical local wage to afford a median-priced home here. The income here is tied to tourism and the service sector for most people. Consistent with other counties in our list, home values are declining in Orange, FL, with a 2.7% decline recorded in the last year. 67% of homes sell below the listing price, and it takes more than 37 days to sell a home here.
The affordability pressure (and foreclosure risk) is consistent with the rest of Florida. Many homeowners are looking to sell in Orange County, and we invite our investors to connect with motivated sellers here.
We have wrapped up our top 10 counties for distressed seller lead generation in May 2026, but we have another list to share. There are ten other counties where our investors have been most active in the last month.
*Report prepared in June 2026 based on publicly available data sources from May–June 2026. Data reflects market conditions as of the period cited. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions. This report does not constitute financial or legal advice.
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