Remember a few years ago when sellers had all the leverage and buyers were offering well above asking price or skipping inspections just to compete? In many markets, that kind of pressure has eased, and the market is starting to feel more balanced.
While every market is different, more areas are gradually shifting in favor of buyers, and things are starting to feel a lot more balanced between buyers and sellers again.
And that’s a level of balance we haven’t seen in quite some time.
Whether you're buying or selling, here’s what’s changing in today’s market and what it could mean for your next move.
The Most Buyer-Friendly Market in Years
The national data is painting an interesting picture right now. According to data from Realtor.com:
““The national housing market is balanced but gradually loosening as the cycle moves in a more buyer-friendly direction . . .”
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That’s because over the past few years, more and more metro areas have been shifting back toward buyer-friendly conditions as inventory has increased. And when you look at the latest Realtor.com data across the top 50 metro markets over time, the trend really stands out, as shown in the graph below.
Back in 2021, nearly all major metro areas were seller’s markets. By the end of 2025, only about one in three still favored sellers, which shows a pretty clear shift in the market.
And that shift is going to change how the market feels for everyone. Sellers shouldn’t expect conditions like 2021 anymore, but buyers shouldn’t either, at least not across the board.
It’s Not the Same Story Everywhere
That said, who has the upper hand really depends on where you are. While more areas have been shifting toward buyers lately, there are still plenty of strong seller’s markets out there as well.
It really depends on how much housing is available and how many people want to buy in your area, and that can differ a lot from one region to another.
Sun Belt cities like Austin, Tampa, and San Antonio saw a big building boom in recent years, which gave buyers more options and more room to negotiate. On the other hand, cities in the Northeast and Midwest, like Rochester, Hartford, and Buffalo, didn’t experience the same surge, so inventory stayed tight and competition remained strong. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Analyst at Bankrate, explains:
““The formerly hot Sun Belt markets have cooled, while the Northeast and Midwest have stayed hot. The big driver here is construction activity. The softest markets now [have] experienced big booms that spurred new building, and that has led to a large supply of new and existing homes on the market in those places.”
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Practical Advice for Your Move
To figure out who has the upper hand in your local market, it helps to talk to an agent. Understanding what’s happening in your area is key to building the right strategy for your move.
If the market is in your favor, that’s great, you can take advantage of it. And if it’s not, that’s okay too. A good agent can help you navigate and make the right moves in any market.
Here’s some practical advice if your goals don’t quite line up with what’s happening in your local market.
If you’re buying in a seller’s market:
Get pre-approved before you start looking so sellers know you’re serious and ready to go.
Be prepared to move quickly when the right home comes up because great homes don’t stay available for long.
Think about making your offer more appealing with things like a faster closing date or flexible terms.
Stay close with your agent so you can put together a strong, competitive offer when it matters most.
If you’re selling in a buyer’s market:
Make sure your price is right from the start because pricing too high can slow things down and end up costing you more.
Pay attention to curb appeal and staging since you’ll need your home to stand out when there’s more competition.
Be open to incentives like helping with closing costs or including a home warranty to attract more buyers.
Expect some negotiation and be ready to stay flexible throughout the process.
Bottom Line
Right now, local markets are all moving in different directions, so your approach as a buyer or seller should really match what’s happening in your specific market.
Want to know what direction our local market is heading and how that could impact your move? Let’s connect.
