Here's where the hottest and coldest housing market is in the Central Valley

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Bankrate has ranked 212 cities for its Housing Heat Index.

Several factors were considered in looking for the country's hottest markets.

"So essentially, where are we seeing a combination of tight inventory, fast-selling homes and rising home values," Bankrate Data Analyst Alex Gailey said. "I would say that the biggest driver in our housing heat index is home appreciation."

Gailey says two years ago, Fresno and Visalia ranked among the hottest markets in the U.S., with Fresno ranked at No. 93 and Visalia ranked No. 89.

Now, both cities rank among the coldest markets. Fresno has dropped to the 146th spot, and Visalia even lower at 173.

"I would characterize the Fresno housing market as being stuck in a post-pandemic rut," Gailey said. "Home values have apprec