How about a brand-new home to go with the brand-new year? The good news is that 2023 is already full of great opportunities for buyers.

We zeroed in on the markets predicted to be red-hot in 2023 and found a surprising number of excellent homes with clean slates—they’re all shiny and new and have never been lived in.

And get this: These five primo properties we picked are all priced below $500,000.

They’re all located within 25 miles of the cities our experts say everyone will want to live in in 2023.

“They are very affordable markets. These are areas where your housing dollars really stretch further,” says Realtor.com® Chief Economist Danielle Hale. “These places did not overheat during the [COVID-19] pandemic housing frenzy over the last two years. That puts them on more solid footing. Prices and sales still have more room to grow.”

So if owning your own home is high on the agenda, take a look at these great finds.

28 Eddy Rd, Barkhamsted, CT

Price: $429,000
Connecticut cool: This two-bedroom, 2.5-bath home is within the Hartford metro area. On top of the modest price, it’s located in the region that ranked No. 1 on our list of the top 10 real estate markets in 2023.

So what’s the catch? Apparently, there isn’t one.

This 1,700-square-foot gem sits on a generous 0.7-acre lot that’s flat and wooded. There’s a primary bedroom with two walk-in closets, a second bedroom, and a home office.

The modern Colonial features vaulted ceilings and hardwood flooring throughout. There’s also a full, insulated basement.

The location is close to Hartford businesses, a ski resort, and hiking trails. Score!

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7425 Caveson Ct, El Paso, TX

Price: $499,950
Texas temptation: This sleek, modern design has the popular open floor plan. With four bedrooms and 2.5 baths in 2,059 square feet of living space, the home is primed and ready for its first owners.

Located in El Paso, the No. 2 market on our list, it has a gorgeous kitchen with a quartz-topped island, a pantry, and quality stainless-steel appliances. Its energy-efficient design aims to cut energy use by 40%.

Outside, the 8,420-square-foot lot offers plenty of room for pets, a garden, or a play area.

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1916 Cedar St, Louisville, KY

Price: $220,000
Kentucky keen: Well, isn’t this three-bedroom, two-bath, brick ranch the cutest thing? It’s hard to believe you can get a house for that price in Louisville, No. 3 on our list.

Inside, you’ll find an open floor plan, including a kitchen with granite counters, stainless-steel appliances, and a peninsula for bar seating. There’s also luxury vinyl wood flooring throughout the 1,727-square-foot space.

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139 Harvard St Unit 7, Fitchburg, MA

Price: $409,900
Massachusetts marvel: Think of how prestigious it would sound to live in Harvard Commons. That’s the name of this pet-friendly community of contemporary townhouse condos with two-car garages.

This unit features two bedrooms and two baths in an open floor plan. There’s a cathedral ceiling, luxury vinyl wood flooring throughout, and cozy carpeting in the bedroom.

The three-level unit is a 30-minute drive from Worcester, MA, No. 4 on our list. It’s also less than an hour’s drive from ultraexpensive Boston, making it doubly appealing.

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46 Ketchum Pl, Buffalo, NY

Price: $469,900
New York nifty: Possibly the coolest of them all, this contemporary home in Buffalo’s Garden District features large windows, which provide all three levels with plenty of natural light.

There are three bedrooms and 2.5 baths in 2,007 square feet of living space. The two-story, primary suite has a cathedral ceiling and a private mezzanine with lovely views.

You can park your car here and walk to numerous cafes and shops. There’s also plenty of storage in this uniquely designed home, which is located in the No. 5 market on our list.

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