The Market Didn’t Pass You By—It’s Just Getting Interesting.
If you pressed pause on your home search in recent years, you’re not alone — but the story’s changing. Now could be the perfect time to jump back in. With more listings on the market, prices stabilizing, and mortgage rates starting to ease, buyers finally have something they haven’t seen in a while: real choices.
According to housing experts, today’s market is giving buyers their best shot in quite some time. Here’s what they’re saying.
Affordability Is Finally Improving
According to Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, housing affordability is beginning to turn a corner.
"As home prices rise more slowly and mortgage rates edge down, we’re seeing an opening for buyers who’ve been waiting on the sidelines to make their move," she explains.
With rates retreating from their recent peaks and price growth losing steam, buyers are finding that homes are becoming more attainable than they’ve been in months.
More Homes, More Opportunity
One major reason prices are stabilizing is simple — there are more homes on the market. According to the latest data from Realtor.com, housing inventory is up 17% year-over-year, giving buyers more choices and less competition.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
"Buyers are in their strongest position in over five years to find the right home and negotiate a better deal. Inventory is now at its highest level since May 2020, when the pandemic first began."
Take a look at the data.
As Lawrence Yun points out, housing inventory is rising across the board. Every region of the country now has more homes for sale than it did a year ago (see chart below).
That means buyers now have more options—whether you’re after a larger yard, a quicker commute, or ready to move on from renting.
However, market conditions still vary.
When you compare today’s inventory growth with pre-pandemic levels (2017–2019), the story shifts depending on your location (see chart below).
The green bars highlight regions like the South and West, where housing inventory has not only recovered but surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, the Northeast and Midwest—shown in red—still face tighter supply, with inventory remaining below historical norms.
Even so, the overall trend is positive — and here’s why that’s a win no matter where you are.
When you take a step back, the bigger picture is clear: inventory is rising across every region. That means more choices for buyers everywhere — even if some areas are moving faster than others.
With fewer active buyers and more listings on the market, many sellers are becoming more flexible to make a deal happen.
Put it all together, and today’s market looks like a real opportunity for buyers.
That’s why partnering with a local expert truly matters. Market conditions can vary zip code to zip code — what’s happening nationally might not reflect what’s happening in your neighborhood.
The key takeaway? With more homes on the market, buyers now have more leverage than they did a year ago.
If you paused your home search because prices felt high, competition was intense, or the process felt overwhelming, this could be the right time to take another look. And if you’re not quite ready to jump back in, that’s perfectly fine. Start by planning ahead — connect with a trusted agent who can help you review your budget, focus your search, and position you to act fast when the right home becomes available.
Bottom Line
Curious about what’s really happening in your local market?
Reach out to a trusted real estate professional and ask for a custom overview of what’s currently available in your area — not just listings, but trends, pricing shifts, and negotiation opportunities. The more you know about your local market today, the better positioned you’ll be when the timing feels right for you to make a move.
Because this isn’t 2021’s frenzy.
It’s not even the tight, competitive market of 2023 or 2024.
This is a new market, shaped by changing rates, fresh inventory, and motivated sellers — and it’s creating opportunities that didn’t exist just a short time ago. You might be surprised by what you find — and how close you already are to making your next move.
Here are tailored questions and answers based on the key points in "The Market Didn’t Pass You By—It’s Just Getting Interesting," focusing on the changing real estate market conditions for buyers in late 2025: ### Why are more people considering buying homes again? Many people paused their home searches in recent years due to high prices and stiff competition, but recent changes such as increased housing inventory, stabilizing prices, and falling mortgage rates are making buying more attractive again. ### How is housing affordability changing in late 2025? Housing affordability is improving, with home prices rising more slowly and mortgage rates starting to retreat from recent highs. This shift is making it easier for more buyers to afford homes compared to previous months. ### What’s causing home prices to stabilize? Home prices are stabilizing partly because inventory is up — there are 17% more homes listed for sale year-over-year, which gives buyers more choices and reduces competition, leading to price stabilization. ### What advantages do buyers have in today’s market? Buyers are in their strongest position in over five years, with more homes to choose from and greater power to negotiate deals. The current inventory level is the highest since May 2020, reducing intense bidding wars and making it easier to find the right home. ### How does inventory growth vary between regions? Regions like the South and West have inventory levels higher than pre-pandemic years, while the Northeast and Midwest still have tighter supply. However, all regions have seen an increase compared to last year, so buyers everywhere are seeing more options even if some markets are moving faster than others. ### What does rising inventory mean for buyers? With more homes on the market and fewer active buyers, sellers are often becoming more flexible. This environment gives buyers more leverage to negotiate better terms, whether on price, repairs, or other conditions. ### Why is working with a local real estate expert important now? Market changes can vary significantly by location, sometimes differing neighborhood by neighborhood. A local agent can give you specific data on listings, pricing, and opportunities in your area, positioning you to make informed decisions quickly when you’re ready. ### What should buyers do if they’re not ready to purchase yet? If you’re not ready to buy, start preparing by consulting with a local agent. They can help you review your budget, focus your search, and plan ahead, so you’re ready to act when the right home becomes available. *** These questions and answers reflect the article’s message: the current 2025 market offers new opportunities for buyers thanks to higher inventory, improved affordability, and less intense competition.
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