In the housing market, sellers have had the upper hand for years. There were not many homes for sale, but a lot of people wanted to buy them, so buyers had to fight hard just to get an offer accepted. Now, though, stock is going up and things are beginning to change in many ways.
Are things finally even in the market? Does that mean it will be a little easier for buyers now? Read this to learn more.
What Makes It a Buyer’s Market or a Seller’s Market?
In the end, it comes down to how many homes are for sale and how many people want to buy them. In the end, that’s what shows who has the most power.
- When there are more buyers than homes for sale, the sellers have the upper hand. This is called a “Seller’s Market.” Because there aren’t enough homes to go around, prices go up, there are multiple offers, and homes sell quickly, often for more than the asking price.
- More homes are on the market than people who want to buy them. This time, things are different. To make a deal happen, sellers might need to give in and do more negotiating or make concessions. Buyers can take their time and have more options, which makes this the case.Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is used in the graph below to show how this has changed over time:
Where the Market Stands Now
In many places, it’s still a seller’s market, but buyers in some places have more power than they’ve had in years. That’s because of how much stock has grown recently. Lance Lambert, co-founder of ResiClub, says it this way:
“As of the end of January 2025, 41 of the 200 largest metro areas in the country had more homes for sale than they did in January 2019 (before the pandemic).” As of 2025, these are the places where buyers will be able to find the best deals on homes.
According to that study, these are some of the best markets for both buyers and sellers right now:
Do you know how to change your plans based on who has the most power in the talks? Because an agent does.
Smart moves can make it easier to buy in a seller’s market or sell in a buyer’s market. That’s the exact reason you need to hire a pro. A real estate agent who works in the area knows their market inside and out. The supply and demand balance is very clear to them, and they know how to help their clients make a deal no matter what. Anyway, it doesn’t really matter if your town is on the list as long as you have a skilled pro with you.
They will help you plan ahead so you can buy (or sell) no matter what the market does.
Bottom Line
There are more homes for sale, so the market might be starting to even out. But it depends on where you want to buy or sell.