Is It a Buyer’s or Seller’s Market?

Key takeaways

• It’s a buyer’s market in a majority of U.S. housing markets, meaning homebuyers have the upper hand.
• Buyers and sellers briefly returned to the market last month, but renewed economic worries are again keeping many on the sidelines.
• The Sun Belt is home to the strongest buyer’s markets; the Midwest and Northeast are home to the remaining seller’s markets.
• Housing markets vary widely, so take into account local market dynamics and talk with an agent to get the full picture

The U.S. is in one of the strongest buyer’s markets on record. Following the pandemic-fueled seller’s market in 2021, sellers now outnumber buyers by 47%—a near-record share. In numeric terms, there are an estimated 1.48 million sellers and 1.01 million buyers in the market today. Generally, the greater the seller surplus, the stronger the buyer’s market.

In the last two months, more buyers and sellers have tested the waters (up 2% and 1.3% respectively), but this has yet to translate to more sales. At the core of the housing market is a historic affordability crisis, making it feel anything but buyer-friendly. Most consumers are holding off, so those who can afford to buy often have the upper hand.

Here’s what to know about buyer’s vs seller’s markets, how to tell which market you’re in, and where each side has the most leverage right now.

What is a buyer’s market vs seller’s market? 

Buyer’s market 

A buyer’s market typically happens when there are more homes for sale than buyers to purchase them. When this is the case, buyers usually drive negotiations and are more likely to receive concessions. 

Home price growth is often lower in buyer’s markets than seller’s markets. But if a buyer’s market sees prices cool substantially, the pendulum may swing back toward sellers as more homebuyers come off the bench.

Seller’s market

A seller’s market usually occurs when demand exceeds supply. Buyers outnumber sellers, creating more competition and fueling bidding wars. Sellers typically lead negotiations in a seller’s market and see homes sell for above asking. House prices also tend to rise more quickly and sell faster.

>> Read: Disadvantages of Sellers Paying Closing Costs

The strongest buyer’s markets in 2026

Sellers outnumber buyers by the most in these ten metros, giving buyers more leverage. Redfin defined a “buyer’s market” as one where sellers outnumbered buyers by at least 10%. Buyers gained negotiating power in 23 of the 35 buyer’s markets nationwide.

The Sun Belt—cities stretching from the Southeast to the Southwest—is home to all of the nation’s strongest buyer’s markets. Nashville sits firmly on top, while Austin is in third—ground zero for the cooldowns sweeping pandemic boomtowns since 2022. 

The Sun Belt skyrocketed in popularity during the pandemic, when scores of homebuyers moved in from more expensive parts of the country, driving up housing costs and pricing many locals out of the market. They are now among the fastest-cooling markets in the country.

Housing supply also plays a role. Florida and Texas in particular saw a surge in homebuilding during the pandemic to meet demand, but many of these homes are now sitting unsold as buyers back off. Florida’s housing inventory reached its highest level on record in 2025, with demand dropping quickly due to rising prices, climate risks, and surging insurance costs.

The strongest seller’s markets in 2026

In a handful of metros, buyers still outnumber sellers, giving sellers the edge. Redfin defined a seller’s market as one where the buyers outnumbered sellers by at least 10%, and only seven metros made the cut.

The Midwest and Northeast are home to nearly all of the remaining seller’s markets. New construction has lagged here, and with more people looking to move to the region for homes they can afford, supply is falling far short of what’s needed and pushing prices up. San Francisco has seen a surge in demand largely due to AI wealth. 

What buyers should do right now

• If you’re buying in a buyer’s market: This is the ideal time for buyers to make a move, if you can afford to. Home prices may decline, listings stay on the market longer, and sellers are more likely to negotiate. You may see price reductions, seller concessions, or repairs included to close the deal. With less competition, buyers have more leverage to secure a home at a better price.
• If you’re buying in a seller’s market: Sellers hold the upper hand, and competition among buyers can be fierce. Homes often sell quickly and attract multiple offers, which can drive prices well above asking. If you’re buying in a seller’s market, be prepared to act fast and make strong offers; trying to negotiate too aggressively could cost you the home.

>> Read: Is Now a Good Time to Buy a House?

What sellers should do right now

• If you’re selling in a buyer’s market: Selling becomes more challenging when inventory is high and demand is low. Homes tend to sit on the market longer—in fact, the typical home today takes over 60 days to sell, and many have sat for even longer. To attract buyers, sellers should price competitively and remain flexible.
• If you’re selling in a seller’s market: This is a great time to sell. Homes typically move quickly, and competition among buyers can lead to multiple offers, bidding wars, or offers above asking price. With high demand and limited inventory, sellers have the upper hand and are more likely to get favorable terms, including waived contingencies and minimal concessions.

>> Read: Should I Sell My House Now? 

How to tell if you’re in a buyer’s or seller’s market

Even if the national housing market favors buyers or sellers, individual cities and regions usually vary widely. Sometimes, even adjacent neighborhoods will have completely different trends. That’s why it’s important to do your research to understand which way your market leans. 

Here are a few ways to stay ahead of the competition.

Check the Redfin Data Center

Redfin publishes its monthly buyer vs. seller dynamics research to the updated Redfin Data Center for public viewing. On the dashboard, you can see whether the national housing market—and any of the 49largest metros—leans toward buyers or sellers. This is a good way to get a baseline picture of the housing market, but it may not reflect your neighborhood or include your city. That’s where additional research and insight comes in. 

Talk with a local agent

Local real estate agents know their market best. They have up-to-date knowledge on how long homes are sitting on the market, whether sellers are cutting prices, and how competitive offers are. An experienced agent can tell you if buyers have the upper hand or if sellers are still in control, and help you make informed decisions in your neighborhood.

Research housing inventory

A common way to gauge which way a market leans is to look at “months of supply” — the number of months it would take for available inventory to sell at the current rate. Supply below 4 months tends to favor sellers, while supply above 5 months tends to favor buyers. Redfin publishes this data on the Redfin Data Center for every city and metropolitan area in the country. 

Track sale price trends

Price growth often accelerates during a seller’s market and cools during a buyer’s market, sometimes even causing home prices to fall. If prices are growing and show no signs of slowing down, you could be in a seller’s market. 

Look at mortgage rates

Mortgage rates play a huge role in the housing market. Typically, the higher the rates, the less buyers shop for homes, making sellers more desperate for offers. This is the case today, which is putting buyers in the driver’s seat.

Looking forward

Economic uncertainty continues to throw a wrench into the housing market, with inflation, the Iran war, tariffs, and immigration policy all playing a role. Homebuilding is also more expensive than ever, putting pressure on the nation’s aging housing stock. 

But there are positives on the horizon. In part because housing costs are so high and so few homes are selling, price growth has slowed—and in some places, they are falling. Redfin economists expect price growth to slow further and affordability to improve in the coming years.

The prolonged seller’s market is over, so serious buyers with the budget may want to act now while competition remains lower.

Methodology

All data covers May 2026 and is seasonally adjusted, dating back to 2013. Please see this article for the full methodology, and this report for Redfin’s most recent analysis.