Think No One's Buying Homes? Think Again.

If you've been thinking about selling, you've probably seen plenty of headlines suggesting buyers have disappeared. But there's a big difference between a market that's slowed down and one that's come to a standstill.

Yes, mortgage rates are still higher than many buyers would like. Homes aren't selling as quickly as they once did. And every week seems to bring another story about buyers waiting on the sidelines. But here's the part those headlines often leave out.

Even with today's challenges, buyer demand has remained remarkably resilient.

In fact, more homeowners are putting up the "Pending" sign today than they were at this point over the past two years. Even more impressive, it's happening during a time of year when the housing market typically begins to slow.

If you're considering selling, that's a signal you shouldn't overlook.

Buyer Activity Is Stronger Than You Might Expect

One of the clearest ways to gauge buyer demand is by tracking pending home sales. These are properties that have gone under contract but haven't officially closed yet. Because they reflect buyers making offers today, pending sales provide one of the best real-time indicators of how active the housing market really is.

According to HousingWire data, more homes are going under contract today than they were during the same period over the past two years (see graph below).

The numbers may be surprising, but they tell a clear story. Buyers may not be everywhere, but they are still active in today’s market. And while activity could rise or fall in the weeks ahead, pending sales are currently running ahead of where they’ve been in recent years. For homeowners considering selling, that’s an encouraging sign—and it reveals something important.

Homebuyers haven't disappeared. Motivated buyers are still actively making moves.

Many of today's buyers have reached a point where waiting is no longer an option. Whether they're making room for a growing family, relocating for work, downsizing in retirement, or simply ready for a new chapter, life doesn't pause just because mortgage rates remain elevated. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“Despite mortgage rates remaining above 6%, buyers returned to the market in greater numbers this spring, showing that many have accepted today's rates as the new normal rather than waiting for them to fall.”

If you've been concerned that buyers have disappeared, today's data should offer some reassurance. The buyers in today's market aren't simply browsing open houses to see what's available. Many have spent months hoping for lower mortgage rates and have now realized they can't put their plans on hold any longer.

That means today's buyers are serious, motivated, and working within a timeline. For sellers, those are exactly the buyers you want walking through your front door.

What This Means If You're Selling

Does that mean every home will sell the moment it hits the market? Not at all.

Today's housing market is more balanced than it was just a few years ago. That means pricing your home correctly and taking the time to prepare it for buyers are more important than ever.

Today's buyers have more options, and they're taking the time to find the home that offers the right value. That makes proper pricing, thoughtful preparation, and a strong marketing strategy more important than ever. Sellers who adapt to today's market are still achieving successful results because the idea that "no one's buying" simply isn't supported by the data.

The buyers are still out there.

The opportunity is still there.

Success comes down to having the right strategy to attract motivated buyers and stand out from the competition.

Bottom Line

While today's housing market isn't moving at the pace we saw a few years ago, buyers haven't disappeared. In fact, demand remains stronger than many headlines would have you believe.

If you're thinking about selling but wondering whether now is the right time, the best place to start is with a local real estate professional. They can help you understand what's happening in your neighborhood, price your home strategically, and create a marketing plan that attracts today's motivated buyers and helps you make the most of current market conditions.