Welcome to the Buyer's Market! (Almost...)

Welcome to the Buyer’s Market (Well… Almost)

For years, sellers held the upper hand in real estate. Homes would hit the market and vanish like concert tickets to a Taylor Swift show. Bidding wars, waived inspections, and buyers writing personal letters (a.k.a. Love Letters) just to stand out. But as of mid-2025, the tide is finally turning.

The National Shift: Buyers Take the Wheel

According to Redfin, the U.S. housing market has officially crossed a threshold we haven’t seen in over a decade.  There are now more home sellers than buyers, around 500,000 more, to be exact. That’s the biggest gap since Redfin began tracking the data in 2013.

Inventory levels have surged, with April 2025 marking the 18th straight month of year-over-year growth. In fact, listings are up more than 30% compared to last year. And with more homes sitting on the market longer, sellers are getting a dose of reality—price reductions and buyer concessions are back in style.

What does this mean for buyers?

1)     1)You finally have leverage.

2)     2)You can take a breath before making an offer.

3)    3) You might even negotiate a lower price.

It’s a welcome change!

What About Oxford and Metro Detroit?

Here’s where things get a little more nuanced.

While the national trend clearly favors buyers, Metro Detroit—particularly in popular suburbs like Oxford—is still clinging to some seller-friendly dynamics. Entry-level homes continue to see solid demand, and inventory hasn’t exploded the way it has in other regions.

That said, we’re starting to see signs of a shift:

• Homes are sitting on the market a little longer.

• Bidding wars aren’t quite as intense.

• Sellers are becoming more open to negotiation.

So, it is not quite the buyer’s market, yet.  But the balance of power is starting to shift in the other direction.  This is the time consider buying, selling or investing in real estate.

 What Should You Do Next?

If you're thinking about buying, this may be your opening. You don’t have to settle for overpaying or waiving every contingency anymore. And if you're selling? Strategic pricing, curb appeal, and a solid negotiator are more important than ever.  The days of agents just putting a sign out in the yard are coming to a halt.

And if you're wondering how to make sense of it all by applying the S.W.A.N. Method™ (Sleep Well At Night) to your next real estate move—reach out. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, now is the time to act with strategy and clarity.

Want to talk about your options in today’s market?
Let’s connect. I’ll help you navigate this shift with confidence—and maybe even help you sleep well at night.