Ask around and nearly every buyer wants to know the same thing:
Is there a way to get a better deal?
At the same time, sellers want to know whether they can still attract strong offers and get top dollar for their homes.
The interesting part is that both buyers and sellers may have a valid argument — sometimes in the exact same market.
That’s because today’s housing market is no longer moving in one direction across the entire country. Some areas clearly favour buyers. Others still give sellers the advantage. And many markets are somewhere in between.
Knowing which type of market you’re actually in can change everything, including:
One of the clearest ways to understand the balance between buyers and sellers is by looking at months of supply.
Months of supply estimates how long it would take to sell all the homes currently on the market if no additional listings were added and homes continued selling at the current pace.
Think of it as a measurement of supply compared with demand.
That does not mean every market is perfectly balanced. It simply means the national picture is less heavily tilted toward sellers than it was during the intense competition of the past several years.
And even a modest shift in leverage can affect how you should approach a purchase or sale.
A balanced market does not mean buyers automatically get discounts or sellers automatically receive multiple offers.
Instead, it usually means both sides have to be more thoughtful.
Buyers may have more time to compare homes and negotiate terms, but they still need to move decisively when the right property appears.
Sellers may still receive strong offers, but pricing too aggressively or overlooking necessary preparation could cause a listing to sit longer than expected.
In this kind of market, strategy tends to matter more than broad headlines.
National statistics are useful for understanding the overall direction of the housing market, but they cannot tell you exactly what is happening in your neighbourhood.
Redfin’s market data shows that some metro areas have considerably more sellers than buyers, while other locations remain much more competitive. In July 2026, sellers outnumbered buyers nationally, but the difference varied significantly by metro area.
That creates what can feel like a tale of two markets.
In a buyer-leaning market:
In a seller-leaning market:
In a balanced market:
The same national housing market can produce very different experiences depending on the city, neighbourhood, price range, property type, and condition of the home.
The biggest mistake buyers and sellers can make right now is assuming they already know who has the upper hand.
It is not always a buyer’s market.
It is not always a seller’s market.
And national headlines may not reflect what is happening a few streets away.
For example, a buyer in one neighbourhood may be able to negotiate thousands of dollars in concessions, request repairs, and take time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, a buyer in another neighbourhood may need to submit their strongest offer immediately to avoid losing the home.
The same is true for sellers. One homeowner may need to adjust their price after limited activity, while another may still benefit from strong demand and multiple interested buyers.
That is why local market knowledge matters so much.
If you’re buying, focus on the conditions that affect the specific homes you’re considering.
Pay attention to:
The best strategy is to understand the value of the property and make an offer that reflects both the market and your goals.
If you’re selling, the market may still offer an opportunity — but buyers have more information and more choices than they did during the most competitive years.
That makes preparation especially important.
Sellers should pay close attention to:
Today’s housing market is not one-size-fits-all.
The national market may be in balanced territory, but the real advantage depends on where you live and what type of property you are buying or selling. National data can provide context, but your neighbourhood-level numbers should guide your strategy.
If you’re wondering who has the upper hand in our local market, let’s take a closer look at the numbers. We can review inventory, months of supply, recent sales, pricing trends, and buyer activity so you can move forward with realistic expectations and a strategy built around your goals.
Is there a way to get a better deal?
At the same time, sellers want to know whether they can still attract strong offers and get top dollar for their homes.
The interesting part is that both buyers and sellers may have a valid argument — sometimes in the exact same market.
That’s because today’s housing market is no longer moving in one direction across the entire country. Some areas clearly favour buyers. Others still give sellers the advantage. And many markets are somewhere in between.
Knowing which type of market you’re actually in can change everything, including:
- How a seller should price a home.
- How aggressively a buyer should make an offer.
- Whether concessions are realistic.
- How much negotiating power either side has.
- What expectations make sense for the transaction.
The Number That Reveals Market Leverage
One of the clearest ways to understand the balance between buyers and sellers is by looking at months of supply.Months of supply estimates how long it would take to sell all the homes currently on the market if no additional listings were added and homes continued selling at the current pace.
Think of it as a measurement of supply compared with demand.
Generally speaking:
| Months of Supply | Market Conditions | Typical Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 4 months | More competitive | Sellers |
| 4 to 6 months | More balanced | Buyers and sellers |
| More than 6 months | More inventory and negotiating room | Buyers |
That does not mean every market is perfectly balanced. It simply means the national picture is less heavily tilted toward sellers than it was during the intense competition of the past several years.
And even a modest shift in leverage can affect how you should approach a purchase or sale.
What a Balanced Market Means
A balanced market does not mean buyers automatically get discounts or sellers automatically receive multiple offers.Instead, it usually means both sides have to be more thoughtful.
Buyers may have more time to compare homes and negotiate terms, but they still need to move decisively when the right property appears.
Sellers may still receive strong offers, but pricing too aggressively or overlooking necessary preparation could cause a listing to sit longer than expected.
In this kind of market, strategy tends to matter more than broad headlines.
The Market Is Different From City to City
National statistics are useful for understanding the overall direction of the housing market, but they cannot tell you exactly what is happening in your neighbourhood.Redfin’s market data shows that some metro areas have considerably more sellers than buyers, while other locations remain much more competitive. In July 2026, sellers outnumbered buyers nationally, but the difference varied significantly by metro area.
That creates what can feel like a tale of two markets.
In a buyer-leaning market:
- Buyers may have more room to negotiate.
- Sellers may need to price more carefully.
- Inspection requests and seller concessions may be more common.
- Homes that are not prepared or positioned well may sit longer.
In a seller-leaning market:
- Buyers may need to act quickly.
- Multiple offers may still occur.
- Sellers may have more control over timing and terms.
- Strong pricing and presentation can create significant interest.
In a balanced market:
- Pricing accurately matters.
- Buyers still need a thoughtful offer strategy.
- Sellers need to compete with other available homes.
- Negotiation is possible, but neither side has unlimited leverage.
The same national housing market can produce very different experiences depending on the city, neighbourhood, price range, property type, and condition of the home.
The Biggest Mistake To Avoid
The biggest mistake buyers and sellers can make right now is assuming they already know who has the upper hand.It is not always a buyer’s market.
It is not always a seller’s market.
And national headlines may not reflect what is happening a few streets away.
For example, a buyer in one neighbourhood may be able to negotiate thousands of dollars in concessions, request repairs, and take time to make a decision.
Meanwhile, a buyer in another neighbourhood may need to submit their strongest offer immediately to avoid losing the home.
The same is true for sellers. One homeowner may need to adjust their price after limited activity, while another may still benefit from strong demand and multiple interested buyers.
That is why local market knowledge matters so much.
What Buyers Should Do
If you’re buying, focus on the conditions that affect the specific homes you’re considering.Pay attention to:
- How long comparable homes are staying on the market.
- Whether sellers are accepting offers below asking price.
- How frequently price reductions are occurring.
- Whether sellers are offering closing-cost assistance.
- How much competition exists in your preferred neighbourhood.
- Whether the home is priced accurately compared with similar properties.
The best strategy is to understand the value of the property and make an offer that reflects both the market and your goals.
What Sellers Should Do
If you’re selling, the market may still offer an opportunity — but buyers have more information and more choices than they did during the most competitive years.That makes preparation especially important.
Sellers should pay close attention to:
- Accurate pricing from the beginning.
- Strong photography and online presentation.
- Repairs or updates that affect buyer perception.
- The competition currently on the market.
- How quickly similar homes are going under contract.
- The terms buyers are using to make their offers more appealing.
Bottom Line
Today’s housing market is not one-size-fits-all.The national market may be in balanced territory, but the real advantage depends on where you live and what type of property you are buying or selling. National data can provide context, but your neighbourhood-level numbers should guide your strategy.
If you’re wondering who has the upper hand in our local market, let’s take a closer look at the numbers. We can review inventory, months of supply, recent sales, pricing trends, and buyer activity so you can move forward with realistic expectations and a strategy built around your goals.
We would like to hear from you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are always looking forward to hearing from you! We will do our best to reply to you within 24 hours !