![Is It Still a Seller's Market? Here's What the Data Says. Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us. While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly shifting to favor buyers, and the market is starting to look a lot more like a two-way street again. And that balance is something we haven’t had in a while. Whether you're buying or selling, here's what you need to know about what's changing and what it means for your move. The Most Buyer-Friendly Market in YearsThe national data tells an interesting story right now. According to Realtor.com: "The national housing market is balanced but gradually loosening as the cycle moves in a more buyer-friendly direction . . ." That’s because, over the past few years, more and more metros have been flipping back to more buyer-friendly terms as inventory’s grown. And when you zoom in on the latest Realtor.com data for the top 50 metro markets over time, the trend becomes really clear (see graph below). Back in 2021, almost all major metros were seller's markets. By the end of 2025, only 1 in 3 still favored sellers. That's an obvious shift. And that changes how the market is going to feel for everyone. Sellers shouldn’t still expect 2021 conditions, but neither should buyers. At least, not generally speaking. It’s Not the Same Story EverywhereThat said, who has the power ultimately depends on where you live. While more metros are leaning buyer-friendly lately, there are still plenty of strong seller's markets right now, too. It really comes down to how much housing supply and demand there is in your area. And that varies enormously by region. Sun Belt cities like Austin, Tampa, and San Antonio saw major building booms in recent years, giving buyers more options and more negotiating room. Meanwhile, cities in the Northeast and Midwest – think Rochester, Hartford, and Buffalo – didn't see that same wave, so inventory stayed tight and competition stayed fierce. 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.” Practical Advice for Your MoveTo find out who has the power in your local market, talk to an agent. Because knowing what’s happening locally is going to be the key to setting the right strategy for your move. If the market is working in your favor, great. Lean in and use it to your benefit. But if it’s not, all hope isn’t lost. Your agent can help you figure out how to approach any market. Here's some practical advice if there’s a mismatch between your goal and local market conditions. If you're buying in a seller's market: - Get pre-approved before you start shopping. It shows sellers you're serious. - Be ready to act fast when the right home hits the market. - Consider offering a quick closing date or flexible terms. - Work closely with your agent to craft a competitive offer. If you're selling in a buyer's market: - Price it right from day one. Overpricing will cost you time and money. - Focus on curb appeal and staging to stand out in areas with more inventory. - Be open to offering incentives, like covering closing costs or a home warranty. - Expect buyers to negotiate and be ready to be flexible. Bottom LineRight now, local markets are moving in very different directions. And your strategy as a buyer or seller should reflect your market. Is It Still a Seller's Market? Here's What the Data Says.](https://alstonhomes.com/wp-content/uploads/6-18-26-218x150.png "Is It Still a Seller’s Market? Here’s What the Data Says.")
After the complexities of the home-buying journey, moving to your new home is no easy feat. But moving across state lines? It adds a new level of intricacy that can overwhelm you if you don’t plan for everything in advance.
You might have already gone through the usual moving tasks, from creating a packing strategy for your things to canceling your utilities. In this blog, we go over some moving essentials that you might have missed. Feel free to add them to your moving-out-of-state checklist to help make your move go as smoothly as possible.
Carrying your belongings across state lines will be more difficult without the help of professional movers. Interstate movers are regulated by the federal government and specifically monitored by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). So when choosing a moving company, make sure that it’s reliable, trustworthy, and adheres to FMCSA regulations. Check out the moving company’s USDOT number, Better Business Bureau rating, any official complaints filed with the FMCSA, as well as company reviews and ratings and whether it has any association with the American Moving & Storage Association. A reputable moving company can help you navigate your move efficiently, especially when determining what items are safe to transport outside the state borders.
Your trusted real estate agent can also be a good source of information, as they can recommend the moving companies their past clients have successfully used. They can also help you decide on what kind of service you need based on the distance of the move and your own personal factors.
You’ve already researched about long-distance movers that will handle your belongings, but have you given a thought about how you’re getting to your new home in a new state as early as possible? Are you driving your car? Are you taking the train? Or do you need to fly to your destination?
Moving long distances almost always involves making travel arrangements, such as booking a plane ticket or a car rental, making hotel reservations, and other plans, as needed. Remember that ticket prices change the closer you are to your target departure date, so it’s better to make reservations ahead of time to save money. And if you’re driving, don’t forget to factor in the cost of food and accommodations, especially if you’re traveling with family. Moreso, you likely won’t receive your belongings for at least a week, so packing an essentials bag or suitcase is a must.
If you’re not planning on driving your vehicle to your new home across the country, you’ll have to arrange a car shipping service. Research auto transport options that best fit your budget and schedule. Likewise, be aware that transporting a car can take between one to two weeks, which means you won’t have any means of getting around your city except taking public transportation or relying on car-hailing services.
Before moving to a new state/province with your pet, keep in mind the local leash laws, pet ordinances, and pet licensing requirements. You may visit the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the State Veterinarian’s office in your destination state if you have any questions and to get more details on how to coordinate the move for your pet. For local ordinances, you can also contact the City Clerk’s office, local organizations, or animal control facility in the area where you’ll be moving.
While requirements and deadlines vary depending on the state, many states or provinces require owners to register their pets within a month of acquiring the pet or moving to ensure that animals receive their necessary rabies shots for public safety purposes. And if what you have are unusual or exotic pets, such as a snake or a monkey, it’s all the more reason to check out the local laws first as not all states accept them.
Updating your license and registration to your new address is another requirement as soon as you move. Every state is different regarding when one should change their license and registration information, so be sure to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in advance. The time window is usually between 10 and 30 days, and you won’t want to miss the deadline.
For your driver’s license, while requirements vary from state to state, you’ll most likely need a driver’s license, proof of residency, proof of your social security number, and an additional form of identification.
Moreover, update your voter registration as soon as you’re able to so you can vote and participate in any and all upcoming elections. There are usually multiple ways to register to vote, including in-person voter registration, mail-in registration, and online registration.
