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For years, sellers have had the upper hand in the housing market. With so few homes for sale and so many people wanting to purchase them, buyers faced tough competition to accept an offer. But now, inventory is rising, and things are starting to shift in many areas.
So, is the market finally balancing out? And does that mean buyers will have it a bit easier now? Here’s what you need to know.
What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?
It all comes down to how many homes are for sale in an area compared to how many buyers want to buy there. The number of homes for sale ultimately determines who has the most leverage.
- A Seller’s Market occurs when there are more buyers than homes available, so sellers hold the power. This leads to rising prices, multiple offers, and homes selling quickly—often above the asking price—because there isn’t enough to go around.
- A Buyer’s Market occurs when there are more homes than buyers. In this case, the tables turn. Sellers may have to offer concessions and incentives or negotiate more to close a deal. That’s because buyers have more choices and can take their time making decisions.
You can see this play out over time using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) in the graph below:
Where the Market Stands Now
While it’s still a seller’s market in many places, buyers in specific locations have more leverage than in previous years. And that’s thanks to how much inventory has grown lately. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, explains:
“Among the nation’s 200 largest metro area housing markets, 41 markets ended January 2025 with more active homes for sale than they had in pre-pandemic January 2019. These are the places where homebuyers will be able to find the most leverage or market balance in 2025.”
Here’s a look at some of the strongest seller’s markets and buyer’s markets today, according to that research:
Do you know how to adjust your plans based on who’s got the most negotiating power? Because an agent does.
Clever strategies can make buying in a seller’s market easier – and vice versa. That’s precisely why you need to hire a pro. A local real estate agent knows their market like the back of their hand. They’re super familiar with the supply and demand balance and how to help their clients get a deal done either way. So, as long as you have a skilled pro by your side, it doesn’t matter if your town is on the list.
With their expertise, you can plan ahead and buy (or sell) no matter the market’s conditions.
Bottom Line
With inventory rising, the market may be starting to balance out – but it all depends on where you want to buy or sell.
Are you wondering if buyers or sellers have the upper hand in our area? Let’s connect so you can find out.
