Is It Still a Seller's Market? Here's What the Data Says.

June 26, 2026

Remember a few years back when sellers held all the power and buyers were stuck offering way over asking or waiving inspections just to get a chance at the house? In many markets, those days are behind us.


While it’s going to vary by area, more metros are slowly shifting to favor buyers, and the market is starting to look a lot more like a two-way street again.


And that balance is something we haven’t had in a while.


Whether you're buying or selling, here's what you need to know about what's changing and what it means for your move.


The Most Buyer-Friendly Market in Years


The national data tells an interesting story right now. According to Realtor.com:


"The national housing market is balanced but gradually loosening as the cycle moves in a more buyer-friendly direction . . ."


That’s because, over the past few years, more and more metros have been flipping back to more buyer-friendly terms as inventory’s grown. And when you zoom in on the latest Realtor.com data for the top 50 metro markets over time, the trend becomes really clear (see graph below).


Back in 2021, almost all major metros were seller's markets. By the end of 2025, only 1 in 3 still favored sellers. That's an obvious shift.

And that changes how the market is going to feel for everyone. Sellers shouldn’t still expect 2021 conditions, but neither should buyers. At least, not generally speaking.


It’s Not the Same Story Everywhere


That said, who has the power ultimately depends on where you live. While more metros are leaning buyer-friendly lately, there are still plenty of strong seller's markets right now, too.


It really comes down to how much housing supply and demand there is in your area. And that varies enormously by region.


Sun Belt cities like Austin, Tampa, and San Antonio saw major building booms in recent years, giving buyers more options and more negotiating room. Meanwhile, cities in the Northeast and Midwest – think Rochester, Hartford, and Buffalo – didn't see that same wave, so inventory stayed tight and competition stayed fierce. As Jeff Ostrowski, Housing Analyst at Bankrate, explains:


“The formerly hot Sun Belt markets have cooled, while the Northeast and Midwest have stayed hot. The big driver here is construction activity. The softest markets now [have] experienced big booms that spurred new building, and that has led to a large supply of new and existing homes on the market in those places.”


Practical Advice for Your Move


To find out who has the power in our local market, talk to me. Because knowing what’s happening locally is going to be the key to setting the right strategy for your move.


If the market is working in your favor, great. Lean in and use it to your benefit. But if it’s not, all hope isn’t lost. I can can help you figure out how to approach our market.


Here's some practical advice if there’s a mismatch between your goal and local market conditions.


If you're buying in a seller's market:


  • Get pre-approved before you start shopping. It shows sellers you're serious.
  • Be ready to act fast when the right home hits the market.
  • Consider offering a quick closing date or flexible terms.
  • Work closely with me to craft a competitive offer.


If you're selling in a buyer's market:


  • Price it right from day one. Overpricing will cost you time and money.
  • Focus on curb appeal and staging to stand out in areas with more inventory.
  • Be open to offering incentives, like covering closing costs or a home warranty.
  • Expect buyers to negotiate and be ready to be flexible.


Bottom Line


Right now, local markets are moving in very different directions. And your strategy as a buyer or seller should reflect our market. When you’re ready to discuss real estate here in Granite Bay, Roseville, Sacramento, Folsom, Eldorado Hills or beyond, give me a call. I am happy to help and look forward to it! 


Want to know which way our local market is leaning and what that means for your move? Let's connect.

Data Centers Are Moving Closer to Homes. What Does That Mean for You?

September 23, 2026
Data centers probably weren't on your list of things to think about when buying or selling a home. School districts? Sure. How close you are to family? Absolutely. A large building full of computer servers down the road? Probably not. But that may be changing. Data centers are popping up in more communities across the country. And as they do, buyers and homeowners are starting to wonder what having one nearby could mean for everything from home values to utility bills. So, let's get into what the data actually says. Because there's a lot more nuance here than if they’re “good” or “bad.” Data Centers Are Showing Up in a Lot More ZIP Codes According to Realtor.com , back in 2015, only about a dozen ZIP codes had a large data center. But by the first half of 2026, that number had climbed to more than 100 – and it's projected to rise even further by the end of the year ( see graph below ):

Selling This Fall? You Haven't Missed Your Window

September 23, 2026
Summer's winding down, and if you've been thinking about selling , you might be wondering if you missed your chance. Better to wait until next year or even next spring, right? Not so fast. About one in three of all home sales happen in the last four months of the year. Fall Is Busier than You Think Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows around a third of existing home sales happen in the final four months of the year. And that share has grown every year since 2023 ( see graph below ):

Why Buyers Shouldn't Overlook a Fall Move

September 12, 2026
You've been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected… While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates , only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com , says : “ We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October. ” And that’s exactly why, if you've been waiting for a better moment to buy, this season may be worth a closer look – even with rates where they are. 1. There Are More Homes To Choose From One of the biggest frustrations buyers have had over the past few years has been a lack of choices. Fall tends to help with that. Based on seasonal trends, Realtor.com data shows there are typically more homes available for sale in September through November than during any other season of the year ( see graph below ): 

Remote Work Could Be Your Affordability Answer

September 10, 2026
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work . You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away. But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don't. You're not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further. Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You Live Remote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22% from the quarter before. That’s the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth. More remote roles mean more people can choose a home base around the life they want to build. As Forbes puts it : “ Remote employees, freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners have the flexibility to choose a home base based on the life they want to build, whether that means more space, a lower cost of living, better access to nature, or simply somewhere new." And you can use that freedom to look somewhere more affordable . Your Paycheck Goes Much Further in Some States Your cost of living – what you spend on housing, groceries, utilities, and the rest of daily life – varies a lot from one state to the next. In some, according to data from Extra Space, it runs far enough below the national average to change what you can afford ( see map below ):

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They're At

September 5, 2026
You're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here's the thing, they may not be. Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers , that shows up in the price. Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay. And it may be enough to make buying more doable than you’d think. 4 Out of 10 Sellers Are Cutting Their Price One of the clearest signs sellers are adjusting? Price cuts. HousingWire Data shows more than 40% of sellers are dropping this price. That’s just slightly behind the volume we saw last year ( see graph below ): 

Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.

September 3, 2026
Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you've caught the buzz and wondered whether that money could get you into a home faster, especially with affordability as tough as it is. Here’s what you need to remember. Pulling from your retirement savings is a big decision, so take time to weigh all your options first and be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. A lot of buyers ask if they can use retirement money for a down payment. The short answer is: sometimes. The better answer is: there are a few different ways to do it, and they are not all the same. 1. 401(k) loan (borrowing from yourself) If your employer plan allows it, this is usually the cleanest option. You borrow from your own 401(k), typically up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less. There is generally no income tax and no 10% penalty as long as you repay it on schedule. The interest you pay goes back into your own account. Two things to watch: If you leave your job before the loan is paid off, the remaining balance can become taxable. Some plans allow a longer payoff period when the loan is used to buy a primary residence. 2. 401(k) hardship withdrawal Some plans allow a withdrawal for costs tied to buying a principal residence. This is not a loan. You do not pay it back. You will usually owe income tax, and if you’re under 59½ the 10% penalty often still applies. There is no special first-time homebuyer penalty exception for 401(k)s. 3. IRA first-time homebuyer exception IRAs work differently. You generally cannot take a loan from an IRA, but first-time buyers (no principal residence in the last two years) may withdraw up to $10,000 penalty-free. A married couple can often use $10,000 each. Traditional IRA withdrawals are still taxable. Roth IRA contributions can usually come out tax- and penalty-free; earnings have extra rules Why Dipping into a 401(k) Can Be Tempting Data from Empower shows many Americans have built up considerable retirement savings. The median 401(k) amount for anyone in their 40s-60s is six figures (see graph below  ):

One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

August 29, 2026
When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor's house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now . For a lot of homeowners, it's been years. And if you've been thinking about moving , but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number. Your House May Be Worth More Than You Think Home values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today's market is more balanced , homeowners are building wealth every day just by owning their homes. That’s how equity works. As home values rise, and as you make your monthly payments, your equity grows. And it adds up fast. According to Cotality , the typical homeowner with a mortgage now has $310,500 in equity. That's not a small number. It’s six figures. And that’s only the national average. In many states, homeowners have built even more equity than that. Take a look at the map below and see where your state stands. The darker the blue, the more equity the typical homeowner has there (see map below): 

Most Home Sales Close – Here’s How To Keep Yours on Track

August 26, 2026
Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window. But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means they’re motivated, and eager to get all the way to the closing table. According to the latest data from Redfin , only about 1 in 7 pending sales are falling through . Meaning the vast majority make it all the way to closing. And the single biggest thing that puts a deal at risk is the one you have the most power to prevent. It just takes a little smart planning before your house hits the market. Why Some Deals Fall Apart Before Closing A Redfin survey sheds light on the most common things that trip up a sale ( see visual below ):

Who Has the Upper Hand in Today's Housing Market?

August 22, 2026
Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal . And just about every seller wants to know if they'll still get top dollar . The interesting thing is... both can be right at the exact same time . It just depends on where you live. That's because today's housing market isn't moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle. And knowing which market you're actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or sell (and what expectations you should have). Let’s break it down. One Number Tells You Who's Got Leverage So how do you know which market you're in? There's one number that tells the story faster than anything else: the months' supply of homes for sale. It's the clearest signal of who's got leverage – and what strategy you'll need. Think of it like this. Imagine no additional homes were listed starting today. Months' supply tells us how long it would take to sell everything that's currently on the market based on today’s demand. Generally speaking, if months’ supply is: Fewer than 4 months: Sellers usually have the advantage. 4 to 6 months: Buyers and sellers are on more equal footing. More than 6 months: Buyers can usually negotiate for a better deal. Right now, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) data says that number is 4.6 and that puts the overall market back in balanced territory ( see graph below ):

The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

August 20, 2026
That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage. To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house . Here’s why. Multi-generational homebuying is on the rise. Millions of Families Are Living Multi-Generationally The number of multi-generational households is climbing. That’s when 3 or more generations live under one roof. And data shows those households grew from 3.2 million to almost 4 million between 2014 and 2024, according to Realtor.com . And each year, more people are shopping for a larger home that fits their combined needs. While the appetite for this type of house is rising across the board, data from USAFacts shows multi-generational living is more common in some states than others. The darker the state in the map below, the more common it is in that area ( see map below ): 
Show More

Data Centers Are Moving Closer to Homes. What Does That Mean for You?

September 23, 2026
Data centers probably weren't on your list of things to think about when buying or selling a home. School districts? Sure. How close you are to family? Absolutely. A large building full of computer servers down the road? Probably not. But that may be changing. Data centers are popping up in more communities across the country. And as they do, buyers and homeowners are starting to wonder what having one nearby could mean for everything from home values to utility bills. So, let's get into what the data actually says. Because there's a lot more nuance here than if they’re “good” or “bad.” Data Centers Are Showing Up in a Lot More ZIP Codes According to Realtor.com , back in 2015, only about a dozen ZIP codes had a large data center. But by the first half of 2026, that number had climbed to more than 100 – and it's projected to rise even further by the end of the year ( see graph below ):

Selling This Fall? You Haven't Missed Your Window

September 23, 2026
Summer's winding down, and if you've been thinking about selling , you might be wondering if you missed your chance. Better to wait until next year or even next spring, right? Not so fast. About one in three of all home sales happen in the last four months of the year. Fall Is Busier than You Think Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows around a third of existing home sales happen in the final four months of the year. And that share has grown every year since 2023 ( see graph below ):

Why Buyers Shouldn't Overlook a Fall Move

September 12, 2026
You've been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected… While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates , only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor. Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com , says : “ We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October. ” And that’s exactly why, if you've been waiting for a better moment to buy, this season may be worth a closer look – even with rates where they are. 1. There Are More Homes To Choose From One of the biggest frustrations buyers have had over the past few years has been a lack of choices. Fall tends to help with that. Based on seasonal trends, Realtor.com data shows there are typically more homes available for sale in September through November than during any other season of the year ( see graph below ): 

Remote Work Could Be Your Affordability Answer

September 10, 2026
For most first-time buyers, the hardest part of buying a home is making the numbers work . You budget, you save, and the finish line still feels far away. But your salary is only half the equation. Where you live shapes what you can afford just as much. And if you can work remotely, you have an advantage a lot of buyers don't. You're not tied to living where the jobs are, so you can look where your money goes further. Where You Work Doesn’t Have To Dictate Where You Live Remote job openings are on the rise. According to FlexJobs, remote job postings climbed 22% from the quarter before. That’s the second quarter in a row of double-digit growth. More remote roles mean more people can choose a home base around the life they want to build. As Forbes puts it : “ Remote employees, freelancers, consultants, entrepreneurs, and business owners have the flexibility to choose a home base based on the life they want to build, whether that means more space, a lower cost of living, better access to nature, or simply somewhere new." And you can use that freedom to look somewhere more affordable . Your Paycheck Goes Much Further in Some States Your cost of living – what you spend on housing, groceries, utilities, and the rest of daily life – varies a lot from one state to the next. In some, according to data from Extra Space, it runs far enough below the national average to change what you can afford ( see map below ):

Sellers Are Cutting Prices To Meet Buyers Where They're At

September 5, 2026
You're scrolling through listings on your phone and everything looks good until you see the price (or the estimated monthly payment). Then you close the app. Because even if you love the house, the numbers feel impossible. But here's the thing, they may not be. Nationally, there are more homes sitting on the market than there are people out there looking. And when sellers need buyers more than buyers need sellers , that shows up in the price. Lower asking prices. More price cuts. And homes priced for what buyers can actually afford – not what sellers hope someone might pay. And it may be enough to make buying more doable than you’d think. 4 Out of 10 Sellers Are Cutting Their Price One of the clearest signs sellers are adjusting? Price cuts. HousingWire Data shows more than 40% of sellers are dropping this price. That’s just slightly behind the volume we saw last year ( see graph below ): 

Thinking About Tapping into Your 401(k) To Buy a Home? Read This First.

September 3, 2026
Lately, headlines have floated an eye-catching idea about tapping into your 401(k) to cover a down payment on a home. Maybe you've caught the buzz and wondered whether that money could get you into a home faster, especially with affordability as tough as it is. Here’s what you need to remember. Pulling from your retirement savings is a big decision, so take time to weigh all your options first and be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. A lot of buyers ask if they can use retirement money for a down payment. The short answer is: sometimes. The better answer is: there are a few different ways to do it, and they are not all the same. 1. 401(k) loan (borrowing from yourself) If your employer plan allows it, this is usually the cleanest option. You borrow from your own 401(k), typically up to 50% of your vested balance or $50,000, whichever is less. There is generally no income tax and no 10% penalty as long as you repay it on schedule. The interest you pay goes back into your own account. Two things to watch: If you leave your job before the loan is paid off, the remaining balance can become taxable. Some plans allow a longer payoff period when the loan is used to buy a primary residence. 2. 401(k) hardship withdrawal Some plans allow a withdrawal for costs tied to buying a principal residence. This is not a loan. You do not pay it back. You will usually owe income tax, and if you’re under 59½ the 10% penalty often still applies. There is no special first-time homebuyer penalty exception for 401(k)s. 3. IRA first-time homebuyer exception IRAs work differently. You generally cannot take a loan from an IRA, but first-time buyers (no principal residence in the last two years) may withdraw up to $10,000 penalty-free. A married couple can often use $10,000 each. Traditional IRA withdrawals are still taxable. Roth IRA contributions can usually come out tax- and penalty-free; earnings have extra rules Why Dipping into a 401(k) Can Be Tempting Data from Empower shows many Americans have built up considerable retirement savings. The median 401(k) amount for anyone in their 40s-60s is six figures (see graph below  ):

One Number Could Change Everything About Your Next Move

August 29, 2026
When's the last time someone told you what your house is worth? Not what some online valuation tool guessed. Not what your neighbor's house sold for. What yours is actually worth right now . For a lot of homeowners, it's been years. And if you've been thinking about moving , but higher home prices or mortgage rates have made you hesitate, here’s why it’s time to take a second look at that number. Your House May Be Worth More Than You Think Home values have climbed significantly over the past 5-10 years. And even though today's market is more balanced , homeowners are building wealth every day just by owning their homes. That’s how equity works. As home values rise, and as you make your monthly payments, your equity grows. And it adds up fast. According to Cotality , the typical homeowner with a mortgage now has $310,500 in equity. That's not a small number. It’s six figures. And that’s only the national average. In many states, homeowners have built even more equity than that. Take a look at the map below and see where your state stands. The darker the blue, the more equity the typical homeowner has there (see map below): 

Most Home Sales Close – Here’s How To Keep Yours on Track

August 26, 2026
Few things are as rattling as the thought of your home sale falling through at the last minute, right before closing. All that waiting, all that progress, out the window. But if you’re getting ready to sell, here’s what you should know. Even in today’s market, it rarely comes to that. Buyers who are moving at today’s rates and prices are generally moving because of some big life change. That means they’re motivated, and eager to get all the way to the closing table. According to the latest data from Redfin , only about 1 in 7 pending sales are falling through . Meaning the vast majority make it all the way to closing. And the single biggest thing that puts a deal at risk is the one you have the most power to prevent. It just takes a little smart planning before your house hits the market. Why Some Deals Fall Apart Before Closing A Redfin survey sheds light on the most common things that trip up a sale ( see visual below ):

Who Has the Upper Hand in Today's Housing Market?

August 22, 2026
Ask around and almost every homebuyer out there wants to know if there’s a way to get a better deal . And just about every seller wants to know if they'll still get top dollar . The interesting thing is... both can be right at the exact same time . It just depends on where you live. That's because today's housing market isn't moving in one direction anymore. Some markets clearly favor buyers. Others still favor sellers. But most are sitting somewhere in the middle. And knowing which market you're actually in can completely change the strategy you use to buy or sell (and what expectations you should have). Let’s break it down. One Number Tells You Who's Got Leverage So how do you know which market you're in? There's one number that tells the story faster than anything else: the months' supply of homes for sale. It's the clearest signal of who's got leverage – and what strategy you'll need. Think of it like this. Imagine no additional homes were listed starting today. Months' supply tells us how long it would take to sell everything that's currently on the market based on today’s demand. Generally speaking, if months’ supply is: Fewer than 4 months: Sellers usually have the advantage. 4 to 6 months: Buyers and sellers are on more equal footing. More than 6 months: Buyers can usually negotiate for a better deal. Right now, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) data says that number is 4.6 and that puts the overall market back in balanced territory ( see graph below ):

The Kind of House Buyers Are Willing To Pay More For

August 20, 2026
That spare room on the main floor. The finished basement with a kitchenette and its own entrance. The bonus room you've been using for storage. To you, it's extra space. But to a growing pool of buyers, it's the reason they'd pick your house . Here’s why. Multi-generational homebuying is on the rise. Millions of Families Are Living Multi-Generationally The number of multi-generational households is climbing. That’s when 3 or more generations live under one roof. And data shows those households grew from 3.2 million to almost 4 million between 2014 and 2024, according to Realtor.com . And each year, more people are shopping for a larger home that fits their combined needs. While the appetite for this type of house is rising across the board, data from USAFacts shows multi-generational living is more common in some states than others. The darker the state in the map below, the more common it is in that area ( see map below ): 
Show More