A Rare Shift: More Sellers Than Buyers
New data shows the U.S. housing market now has 37% more sellers than buyers—a gap that’s more than double what we saw last year. In fact, according to Redfin, only summer 2025 had a larger seller-over-buyer imbalance in records dating back to 2013. That’s a meaningful signal for anyone thinking about making a move: in many areas, the market is leaning toward buyers, not sellers.
In practical terms, this mismatch means more listings are competing for fewer shoppers. When that happens, buyers gain leverage and sellers have to work harder (and often get more flexible) to close deals.
What This Means If You’re Buying a Home
If you’ve been waiting for a moment where you have more negotiating power, this is it. A buyer’s market doesn’t automatically mean homes are “cheap,” but it often means you can structure a deal more in your favor—especially if a home has been sitting on the market.
Here are a few ways buyers are using today’s conditions to their advantage:
- Negotiating price reductions: With more sellers competing, list prices may not be the final price—particularly on homes with longer days on market.
- Asking for concessions: Buyers may request seller-paid closing costs, rate buydowns, or credits for repairs.
- Being pickier (in a good way): More inventory can mean more choices—location, layout, school district, or features—without feeling forced to “settle.”
- Requesting inspection and appraisal flexibility: In hot markets, buyers often waive protections. In a cooler market, you may be able to keep those safeguards in place.
One important nuance: this is a national snapshot, but real estate is still local. Redfin notes that Austin, TX is the strongest buyer’s market, while Nassau County, NY is the strongest seller’s market. Your zip code may behave very differently than the national average, so strategy matters.
What This Means If You’re Selling
For homeowners thinking about selling, this shift doesn’t mean you can’t get a great outcome—but it does mean you may need to adapt. When buyers have options, they compare homes more aggressively, and they’re less likely to overlook condition issues, pricing gaps, or “aspirational” list prices.
To stand out in a market with more sellers than buyers, consider:
- Pricing with precision: Overpricing can lead to longer time on market, followed by price cuts that weaken negotiating power.
- Improving first impressions: Small updates, decluttering, fresh paint, and curb appeal can have an outsized impact when buyers are choosing between multiple similar homes.
- Planning for concessions: Offering a credit for closing costs, repairs, or a temporary rate buydown can attract more serious buyers and reduce back-and-forth later.
- Being ready to negotiate: Buyers may come in with more requests—having a clear bottom line and a smart strategy helps you keep control of the process.
If you’re selling and buying at the same time, the good news is that a softer market can help you on the purchase side—even if it requires extra effort to maximize your sale.
How This Impacts Refinancing Decisions
Even though this data is about buyers versus sellers, it can still influence refinance strategy—especially if local home prices soften or stop rising as quickly. Here’s how to think about it:
- Equity planning: If values level off, homeowners may want to be more cautious about cash-out refinances and keep a buffer of equity.
- Rate-and-term opportunities: If you’re carrying a higher rate than what’s available, refinancing could reduce the monthly payment or shorten the loan term—if the numbers make sense for your timeline.
- Using concessions creatively: For buyers, seller concessions can sometimes be applied to closing costs or a rate buydown, which can reduce the effective cost of financing.
Refinancing is highly personal: credit score, current rate, remaining loan balance, home value, and how long you plan to stay all matter. In a market with shifting dynamics, it’s worth running a few scenarios before making a move.
Bottom Line: Leverage Has Shifted, But Strategy Is Local
The headline takeaway is simple: there are more sellers than buyers nationwide, and that tends to create conditions where buyers can negotiate and sellers must compete harder. But your best next step depends on your local market (Austin won’t feel like Nassau County), your goals, and your financing plan.
Ready to explore your options? Schedule a free consultation with our team today!