Cold Catfishing - NJREN Robert Dekanski

Explore the map below to see which city in each state had the highest proportion of homebuyers who purchased their property during the summer, only to discover unexpected winter-related problems when the colder months arrived.

Methodology: An online survey of 3,057 U.S. homeowners conducted in November 2026 to explore experiences of purchasing a home during the summer and subsequently discovering winter-related issues that were not apparent at the time of purchase. Respondents were asked about their experiences, including problems with heating, insulation, drafts, and other cold-weather concerns. Responses were analyzed geographically to identify the city in each state where homeowners were most likely to report encountering unexpected winter-related problems after buying their property in the summer. Data quality checks were applied to identify and remove incomplete, inconsistent, or potentially fraudulent responses.