![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.")
You may be hearing that a near-record number of homeowners are pulling their houses off the market. And if that headline has you thinking, “Wait… is something bad about to happen?” You’re not alone.
Because when people start stepping to the sidelines, it sounds like a warning sign that something’s coming – or that they realize something you don’t know.
Here’s the thing. This trend gets spun like it means the market is about to crash. But the data tells a more practical story.
What the Numbers Actually Say
According to the latest data from Redfin, 5.5% of all listings were taken off the market in May. And it’s true that’s almost the highest it’s been since back in March 2020 (see graph below):
That can sound scary. But a lot of the fear comes from how this story gets told. “A near record number of sellers are pulling their listings” makes a great clickbait headline – and that sort of thing spreads fast, especially online. But sellers pull a house off the market for plenty of reasons that have nothing to do with a crash.
Redfin points to four main forces driving this trend:
- Homes are taking longer to sell. When the pace slows down, some sellers get frustrated and decide to hold off.
- The number of homes for sale is rising faster than demand. That means buyers have more options. And sellers who don’t price or prep right may not get many eyes on their house.
- Some sellers still have pandemic-era price expectations. A price that would’ve worked a couple years ago may not match what today’s buyers will pay.
- Economic uncertainty is making both buyers and sellers cautious. Buyers pause. Sellers second-guess. And that has an impact on overall sales volume and pace.
Notice what’s missing from that list? There isn’t a single mention of an impending market crash or price collapse.
This is about a shifting pace, more competition, and sellers deciding how they want to respond.
One Detail Most Headlines Leave Out
Want more peace of mind that this isn’t a crash? This next stat delivers. Yes, more sellers are taking their homes off the market. But Redfin also shows something you’re not going to see in social posts…
The number of re-listings is growing too.
While more sellers are pulling their listings, more are also deciding to give selling a second shot too. This is pretty much the highest re-listings have been since the pandemic hit.
While 5.5% got pulled in May, 2.3% were also put back on the market (see graph below):
That’s a signal sellers aren’t giving up or running away in large numbers.
Some are simply stepping away briefly before deciding to try again. That tells you this often isn’t a permanent decision. In many cases, it’s a pause – and the seller comes back with a different approach.
A lot of the time that change in the overall strategy is all that’s needed to finally get a house sold.
And just in case you need more proof this isn’t a reason to worry, check this out. Buyer activity may be starting to pick back up – and that could bring more sellers back in or, at least, prevent some sellers from pulling back.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports existing home sales increased 3.2% in May. That’s the biggest increase since December. As the Wall Street Journal puts it:
“Home sales in May posted the biggest rise this year, a sign that the housing market’s crucial spring selling season may be showing signs of life after a sluggish start.”
That doesn’t sound like a market in trouble.
Bottom Line
If you’re seeing headlines about how a record number of sellers are taking their homes off the market, don’t panic. It’s not a warning of an impending crash. It’s a market adjusting.
