A Buyer’s Market? For the First Time in Over a Decade, Sellers Outnumber Buyers

For the First Time in 12 Years, Home Sellers Outnumber Buyers—Here’s What a buyer's market Means for You

If you’ve been holding your breath waiting for the housing market to cool down...exhale.For the first time since 2013, the number of active home listings has surpassed the number of serious buyers. And that shift? It’s creating real opportunities (and real strategy pivots) for both sides of the transaction.

📊 The Numbers Behind the Shift

According to Realtor.com data cited by multiple news outlets, there are currently nearly 500,000 more homes for sale than there are active buyers in the market. That’s a dramatic change from the post-pandemic real estate frenzy, where bidding wars, waived contingencies, and $100K over-ask offers felt like the norm.

What changed? A mix of:

• High interest rates that priced many buyers out

• Pandemic-era sellers finally deciding to list

• An uptick in new construction completions

• Buyer fatigue (can you blame them?)

  
  

🏠 What This Means for Buyers

Welcome to the return of leverage.With more inventory to choose from and less competition per listing, buyers can now:

• Negotiate repairs or concessions

• Take time to tour multiple homes

• Avoid bidding wars

• Get better pricing, especially on stale listings

Sellers are getting creative, too—offering rate buy-downs, closing cost credits, and flexible move-in dates just to stand out.

🧾 What This Means for Sellers

If you're thinking of selling, don’t panic—but do prepare. The key now is pricing strategically and standing out. Today’s buyers are more selective and value-driven than ever. Homes that are move-in ready and priced right still sell fast. But overpriced or outdated homes? They’re sitting.

Pro tips for sellers in this climate:

• Invest in minor improvements that make a big impact (paint, landscaping, lighting)

• Stage your home to make it pop in photos

• Be realistic about pricing—look at active comps, not just closed sales

  
  

🕹️ A More Balanced Market = Smarter Decisions

This shift doesn’t mean we’re crashing—it means we’re correcting.It’s not 2008, and it’s not 2021 either. It’s a new market, and buyers and sellers who adapt will win.

If you’re thinking about making a move—buying, selling, or investing—now’s the time to work with a real estate team that understands how to navigate this kind of market shift.

📲 Let’s Talk Strategy. Whether you’re ready to buy or thinking about selling, let’s build a game plan that works for today’s real estate market. DM us or book a consultation to get started.