The best places to buy and sell property in the USA

Pending home sales rose in April for the fourth month in a row in the USA, according to the National Association of Realtors.

The new RealtyTrac report for the same month found that homes sold at their market value in 14 per cent markets monitored across the country. There were 44 in total, including Maricopa County, Arizona, Riverside County in inland Southern California, Maryland, Washington DC, Fulton County, Georgia and Wake County, North Carolina.

The market's recovery, though, is mixed, as areas such as Miami, Florida, race ahead of the national average thanks to foreign demand.

"At the local level... most markets tipped in favor of either sellers or buyers — although there were some Goldilocks markets exhibiting a ‘just right’ balance between buyers and sellers," says Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac.

Where are the best places for buyers and sellers?

Top 5 US buyers' markets

Buyers purchased below market value in 59 per cent of markets, according to RealtyTrac, as conditions favoured purchasers over home owners.

Saint Louis City, Missouri

Homes sold below market value: 77 per cent