Sellers Outnumber Buyers by Widest Margin in 12 Years
The housing market has officially flipped the script—and it’s not a small shift. As of July 2025, sellers now outnumber buyers by the widest margin in more than a decade. For buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines, this may be the window they’ve been waiting for.
A Market Tipping Toward Buyers
For nearly two years, many would-be sellers kept their homes off the market, discouraged by rising interest rates, uncertainty, and lower demand. But that tide is turning. While roughly 14,000 sellers pulled their listings in the past two months, there are still 1.95 million homeowners who want to sell. Add in builders struggling to move new inventory, and the result is clear: supply is surging.
On the flip side, demand is shrinking. Just 1.43 million buyers were actively searching for homes in July—the lowest level since the earliest months of the COVID pandemic. In fact, Redfin reports that the market now has 36.3% more sellers than buyers—518,801 more, to be exact.
Where the Market Has Shifted Most
Out of the nation’s 50 largest metro areas, 35 are now considered buyer’s markets. The biggest shifts are happening in:
-
Florida, where oversupply and cooling demand have tilted the balance heavily.
-
The Sun Belt and West Coast, where higher mortgage costs have cooled buyer enthusiasm.
Interestingly, Midwest and East Coast metros remain more balanced, with some still favoring sellers thanks to steady demand and tighter inventory.
What This Means for Buyers
If you’ve been waiting for your chance to buy, this may be it. More inventory means more choices, more negotiation power, and less competition. For the first time in years, buyers are finding themselves in a position to:
-
Negotiate better pricing
-
Ask for seller concessions (think credits for repairs, rate buydowns, or closing costs)
-
Take their time instead of rushing into bidding wars
What This Means for Sellers
For sellers, this market demands a different strategy. Homes that are priced too aggressively or not well-prepared for market will sit. To stand out, sellers need to:
-
Price competitively from day one
-
Invest in presentation (staging, marketing, professional photography)
-
Offer incentives where needed to attract qualified buyers
This isn’t the “list it and it sells in a weekend” market of 2021. Success today requires strategy, patience, and flexibility.
Bottom Line
The balance of power in real estate is shifting. With sellers outpacing buyers at levels not seen in 12 years, the coming months could redefine what it means to buy and sell a home in America.
Whether you’re a seller navigating stiffer competition or a buyer ready to seize newfound leverage, understanding this moment—and acting strategically—will make all the difference.
