![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 itโs 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 havenโt 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 . . ." Thatโs because, over the past few years, more and more metros have been flipping back to more buyer-friendly terms as inventoryโs 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 shouldnโt still expect 2021 conditions, but neither should buyers. At least, not generally speaking. Itโs 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 โ think Rochester, Hartford, and Buffalo โ didn't see that same wave, so inventory stayed tight and competition stayed fierce. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Analyst at Bankrate, explains: โThe 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.โ Practical Advice for Your MoveTo find out who has the power in your local market, talk to an agent. Because knowing whatโs 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 itโs not, all hope isnโt lost. Your agent can help you figure out how to approach any market. Here's some practical advice if thereโs 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.")
Buying your first home comes with many big decisions, and it can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. It’s easy to get swept up in the emotion of home shopping and make mistakes that could leave you with buyerโs remorse later.
Let’s review 3 of the most common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make, ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐ฉ๐ค ๐๐ซ๐ค๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐ข:
๐ท. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
I get it, itโs more fun to look at homes than it is to talk about your finances. This is a mistake that a lot of first-time home buyers make: They visit properties before finding out how much they are able to borrow. BIG MISTAKE. It is so important to know how much you can afford before you visit homes so that you don’t fall in love with a home that you can’t afford. Further, in this super-competitive market, you could lose out on a property if you arenโt preapproved for a mortgage.
๐ธ. ๐ฝ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐’๐ ๐๐๐๐๐.
Some homebuyers make the mistake of working directly with the sellerโs real estate agent (aka the listing agent), who is working on behalf of the sellers. It is important that you find a buyer’s agent that you trust, who will work solely in your best interests and guide you through the homebuying process. The best part? They’re FREE!
๐น. ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐.
This also goes hand-in-hand with buying more house than you can afford. Itโs easy to fall in love with homes that might stretch your budget, but overextending yourself is never a good idea. Make sure you take into consideration any HOA fees or condo fees, as well as utility bills such as water & sewer, gas, electric, trash, and cable. It is also important to budget for repairs that you may need in 2-5 years, such as replacing a water heater or a roof.
My job is to protect you during the sale as your buyer’s agent and make sure you don’t have any regrets once you move in!
