Named “Best Emerging U.S. City” in Cities Ranked & Rated, “Most Enlightened City” by Utne Reader and one of the “Top Five Places to Buy a Retirement Home” by Smart Money Magazine, Ithaca boasts a lively, well-educated, and diverse population. Unlike many other markets around the United States where you see extreme swings in market trends, Tompkins County has experienced much more stability in its market. There has been strong growth in the real estate market within the past few years; however, the market has leveled nicely and values are holding very well. Both supply and demand are decent as we did not see much over building during the last few years. The colleges keep the county's real estate demand stable without large economic impacts such as recessions or economic booms.

Homes closer to the City of Ithaca and the colleges tend to be well-kept, older and more traditional. They also tend to be situated in neighborhoods that are within walking distance to shops, restaurants and other small businesses. Drive up any of the surrounding hills away from downtown Ithaca and you will see a mix of older and newer homes – both small and large, traditional to contemporary, and single-family homes as well as townhouses. Explore the countryside and you will observe both old farmsteads and unique rustic homes set privately on wooded lots. Lakefront properties remain popular as well among residents and vacationers alike as the year-round beauty of Cayuga Lake can't be denied!