Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again

Meta Description: Explore why now may be the ideal time to re-enter the housing market. With improving affordability, increasing inventory, and buyer leverage, discover how you can act now and be ready when the right home appears.

Introduction

If you stepped back from your home-search over the past few years, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.

Whether you paused your search because the market felt too competitive, the monthly payments too high, or the selection too limited—you may have been wise to wait. But waiting doesn’t mean you’re out of the game. Quite the opposite: the landscape may have shifted in your favour. In this article we’ll walk you through what’s changed, why it matters, and what you can do now to be ready.

Why This Moment Matters for Homebuyers

Affordability Is Finally Improving

One of the most critical factors for anyone thinking about buying a home is affordability. The good news? That needle is finally beginning to move.

⦁ According to Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS:

“Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market.”

This matters because for many buyers the biggest hurdle over the past couple of years hasn’t been desire—it’s been monthly payment: high interest rates + elevated home prices = bigger payment. But as price growth slows and rates ease, that equation starts to tip.

Here are a few signals:

• Home-price growth is decelerating. Some reports show year-over-year growth dipping into the low single digits.

• Elevated mortgage rates remain a challenge, but modest easing is improving the base.

• More homes on the market (we’ll cover this next) means buyers have more power and can hold out for better deals.

In short: you may now find a better price, a more manageable payment, and more negotiating leverage than you could a year or two ago.

There Are More Homes On The Market

Another big shift: inventory is rising. More homes for sale equals more choices. And more choices equals less competition (in many markets) and more negotiating room for you.

Here are some key facts:

• According to Realtor.com, the inventory of homes for sale rose 28.9% year-over-year in June 2025. Realtor

• Some markets are now back to or above pre-pandemic inventory levels. For example, 12 US states had inventory above 2019 levels as of July 2025. ResiClub+1

• Inventory gains are consistent: April saw a 30.6% year-over-year inventory rise. Realtor

What does this mean for you?

• More options: You’re less likely to feel forced into the first house you can get.

• Less competition: Fewer bidding wars compared with the peak pandemic years.

• Time to think: You may have more time to make an informed decision, inspect, and negotiate.

• Regional variation: Though inventory is up everywhere, some regions still lag—so your local market matters a lot.

What Changed From the Seller’s Market?

For years the market heavily favoured sellers: low inventory, high demand, rising prices, quick sales. That dynamic is shifting.

• Homes are spending more days on market compared with last year. Realtor+1

• Price cuts and delistings are increasing in some markets. Realtor+1

• Buyer leverage is improving: you can negotiate better terms, maybe ask for seller concessions, and be more selective.

In simplified terms: the market is moving toward more balance. That doesn’t mean bargain-basement houses everywhere—but it does mean better chances for buyers who are ready.

What These Trends Mean for YOU

More Choice, Less Pressure

One of the biggest benefits for you is that you now may have more breathing room. A few practical advantages:

• You can take your time to find a home that truly fits your needs (neighborhood, size, commute, backyard) rather than just grabbing whatever you can.

• You may have less anxiety about missing out on an offer. The urgency to act may be lower.

• You may be able to filter more: say “I want X, Y and Z” (e.g., good school district, decent commute, backyard) rather than compromising drastically.

From a voice-search perspective, someone might ask: “Are there still good homes to choose from in 2025?” The answer: yes—and more than recently thanks to rising inventory.

Leverage Is Shifting Toward Buyers

When the supply of homes starts to outpace the rush of buyers, the negotiating balance shifts. For you, that can mean:

• Sellers may be more willing to negotiate price.

• You may get better seller concessions (closing costs, repairs).

• You may have more flexibility in terms (move-in dates, inspection periods).

Here’s a direct quote from Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown.” Realtor+1

That means if you’re ready to move, you could be entering at a moment where being selective and strategic pays off.

Region and Local Market Still Matter

Important reminder: national trends are helpful, but your local market rules.

• In the South and West, many markets have fully recovered or exceeded pre-pandemic inventory levels. ResiClub+1

• In the Northeast and Midwest, inventory is still comparatively tight and price pressures remain stronger. Realtor+1

What this means:

• Even though “more inventory” is happening nationally, your leverage and opportunity may depend on your ZIP code.

• Local agents matter more than ever because they know the nuance of your specific market.

• Don’t assume the same rule applies everywhere—one city might be cooling rapidly; another still overheated.

3-Step Game Plan: What Should You Do Now?

If you’re thinking about re-entering the market (or need time to prepare), here’s a smart game plan:

Step 1: Get Ready – Even if You’re Not Ready to Act Tomorrow

Just because you’re not ready to make an offer this week doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start preparing. Early planning gives you an edge when the right home appears.

Action items:

• Meet with a trusted local real estate agent who knows your neighborhood and can give you a custom breakdown of current activity.

• Review your budget: determine what you can afford now, what you’re comfortable with monthly, and how much wiggle room you have.

• If possible, get pre-approved for a mortgage or at least understand your options. When you are ready, you’ll act from a position of strength.

• Define your “must-haves” vs “nice-to-haves”. For example: must have good school district + 30-min commute; nice to have pool or large backyard. When you’re clear, you’re ready.

• Monitor the market: ask your agent to send you new listings that match your criteria, so you can see what is selling and how quickly.

Step 2: Strategize for Timing & Market Conditions

This is not 2021. This is a new market. Recognizing that fact puts you in a smarter position.

What to keep in mind:

• Don’t assume every market is cooling uniformly. Some areas still favour sellers; others favour buyers.

• Act when you see a home that matches your criteria and budget. With more inventory and more negotiation power, timing may be more flexible—but you still want to strike when you see the right fit.

• Be prepared for slower decision-cycles. Homes may stay on market longer than they did in peak years—so you may find more opportunities to evaluate closely, ask questions, negotiate.

• Keep watching mortgage-rate trends: even small drops in rate can improve your monthly payment significantly.

Step 3: Make Your Move When You’re Ready

When the time is right, you’ll want to be ready to act confidently. That means:

• Your financing is sorted or close to sorted (pre-approval, down payment plan).

• You know your criteria clearly and are monitoring homes actively.

• You have your agent and professional team (inspector, lender, etc) standing by.

• You know the market terms in your area (average days on market, list-to-sale ratios, negotiation norms).

• You’re comfortable with your budget and have some flexibility built-in (to cover inspections, closing costs, possible repairs).

Then, when you see the home that checks your boxes, you can move with purpose.

Bottom Line

If you stepped away from your home-search thinking the market passed you by, think again. With more homes available, improved affordability, and more negotiating power for buyers, today could be a strong moment to re-enter the market.

Whether you’re actively searching now, or just preparing for the future, the key is to position yourself early, stay informed, and move with confidence when the right opportunity appears. Want to know what’s happening in our area? Let’s have a conversation—I can provide a custom overview of current listings and buyer strategies tailored to your market.

Because this isn’t 2021. This isn’t even 2023 or 2024. This is a new market—and you might be surprised by what you find when you look again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are home prices falling?
A: In many markets, price growth has slowed and in some regions prices are flat or slightly down. For example, some metro areas in the South and West have seen listing-price declines. CBS News+1
But nationwide the picture is mixed: some regions still see price increases, others are seeing stabilization or small declines. So the answer is: it depends on the region and the type of home.

Q2: What kind of mortgage rate should I expect?
A: While rates remain elevated compared to historic lows, many buyers are seeing modest easing. According to some forecasts, the 30-year fixed might hover around the high 6 % range for much of 2025. JPMorgan Chase+1
Your actual rate will depend on your credit profile, down payment, loan term and geography.

Q3: Should I wait for a “deal” or act now?
A: That depends on your personal timeline and market. If you’re ready to buy and the budget makes sense, now may be a strong time because of improved inventory + affordability. If you’re not ready, use this time to prepare so when the right home appears you’ll be able to act. In either case, staying engaged (but not rushed) is smart.

Q4: How important is working with a local real estate agent?
A: Very important. National and regional trends give you the big picture but neighborhoods level conditions vary a lot. An experienced local agent gives you a realistic view of what your ZIP code has available, what homes are selling for, what negotiation looks like there, and how fast homes are moving.

Read from source: “Click Me”