Buyer’s Markets on the Rise: More U.S. Cities Now Favor Homebuyers Over Sellers

In today’s shifting housing landscape, homebuyers may finally be gaining the upper hand. In real estate, conditions strongly depend on the balance between supply and demand — and whenever there are more homes for sale than active buyers, negotiating power shifts toward the buyer. Sellers have to price more competitively and offer stronger incentives, creating far better opportunities for those looking to purchase a home.

That market environment is becoming increasingly common across the U.S.

According to a recent national housing analysis, the number of major markets that favor homebuyers has more than doubled in the past year. In 2024, only 6 of the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas were considered buyer-friendly. Today, 15 of the top 50 markets are officially classified as buyer’s markets — a clear sign of meaningful progress and a potential opening for buyers who have been waiting for the right moment.

Where Are Buyer’s Markets Happening Most?

Buyer-friendly conditions are not distributed evenly across the country. Current trends show:

• South & Midwest: Leading the way, with markets like Miami, New Orleans, Austin, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis ranking among the most favorable for buyers.

• Northeast & Bay Area: Still heavily seller-dominated, where housing inventory remains tight and competition is high.

Even though buyer’s markets are still a minority overall, the fact that they’ve expanded so quickly is a strong sign that negotiating power is beginning to rebalance — especially in regions with increasing inventory and softening demand.

What This Means If You’re Buying a Home Now

If you’ve been waiting for a smarter time to buy, market conditions are quietly improving in more cities than most headlines suggest. In competitive buyer’s markets, you may see:

• More room to negotiate price

• Seller concessions or rate buydowns

• Reduced bidding wars

• Better selection of available homes