Today’s Tale of Two Housing Markets

Depending on where you live, the housing market could feel red-hot or strangely quiet right now.

The truth is, local markets are starting to move in different directions.
In some places, buyers are calling the shots. In others, sellers still hold the power.

It’s truly a tale of two markets.

What’s a Buyer’s Market vs. a Seller’s Market?

A buyer’s market happens when there are more homes for sale and fewer buyers.
That means:

• Homes sit longer
• Buyers have more negotiating power
• Prices tend to soften

It’s simple supply and demand.

A seller’s market, on the other hand, occurs when there aren’t enough homes for all the people looking to buy.
That creates:

• Faster sales
• Multiple offers
• Rising prices

Right now, both of these scenarios are unfolding — depending on where you are.

How To Know What Kind of Market You’re In

Your best move? Lean on a local real estate agent.

They can help you understand what’s really happening in your area based on key market drivers — especially the number of active buyers and sellers.

The Number of Buyers and Sellers by Region

One of the biggest factors shaping local conditions is how many buyers and sellers are active.

According to Redfin, here’s what the data shows (see graph below):

• 🏡 Northeast and Midwest: Still leaning toward seller’s markets.
  Buyers outnumber sellers, homes sell faster, and prices are on the rise.
• 🌴 South and West: Shifting toward buyer’s markets.
  More sellers than buyers means more listings, less competition, and better options for buyers.

That’s a major shift from a few years ago when sellers had the upper hand almost everywhere.

Today, local conditions matter more than ever — and they can vary even from one neighborhood to the next.

Price Trends Mirror the Buyer/Seller Divide

As inventory and buyer activity shift, so do prices.

• In areas where demand still exceeds supply — like much of the Northeast and Midwest — prices continue to climb.
• But in regions where inventory is up and demand has cooled, like parts of the South and West, prices are softening.

That’s actually good news for buyers, since it opens the door to negotiation.

Here’s the latest price data from ResiClub, showing how this divide plays out across the top metros in the country (see graph below):

Roughly half of the top 50 metros are seeing prices rise, while the other half are flat or declining.

Don’t Panic if Prices Are Down

If you own a home in a market where prices have softened — don’t worry.

Most homeowners have built up significant equity over the past few years.
Even if prices dip slightly, you’re likely still well ahead when you sell.

Why Local Insights Matter

Even in regions leaning buyer-friendly, there are cities, towns, and zip codes that break from the trend.

That’s why an agent’s local expertise is so valuable.
They can help you understand, at a granular level:

• Whether your area currently favors buyers or sellers
• How to set the right price or craft a winning offer based on local data
• The best strategy to make your move happen smoothly, no matter the conditions

Bottom Line

In today’s split market, success depends on understanding your local landscape.

Let’s connect so you’ve got an expert in your corner who knows exactly how to guide you through your market — wherever you are.

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