☀️ Summer is in full swing, and so is the housing market! May brought notable movement, creating more opportunities for both buyers and sellers. So, what made this month stand out?
🔄 More Activity, More Homes on the Market
May marked the fourth consecutive month of increased home sales, with an 8.6% rise from April. While sales were still 3.5% lower compared to May 2024, the upward month-over-month trend shows promising momentum.
Inventory also continued to build, climbing for the 17th straight month on a year-over-year basis—up 34.8% from May 2024. Month-over-month, available inventory rose 8.3% in May 2025.
💡 What does this mean for buyers? More homes to choose from could mean stronger negotiating power.
In shifting markets, buyers can often negotiate favorable terms. For example, if repairs are needed—like a hot water heater replacement—the buyer may be able to ask the seller to cover the cost or complete the repair before closing. Buyers may also have more influence on timelines and closing costs.
💲 Price Trends: Steady but Climbing
Home prices saw only a modest rise in May, with the median home price hitting $442,000—a 0.6% increase compared to May 2024.
So far, pricing has remained relatively stable. For buyers waiting on a price drop, the data isn’t showing much movement in that direction—at least for now.
📍 Spotlight on Atlanta
Every market tells a different story—and Atlanta stood out in May. The city experienced a boost in both new listings and closed sales compared to April. More inventory and slightly longer days on market gave buyers more breathing room. However, serious buyers should still act quickly to secure their desired property.
📊 Quick Market Snapshot:
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Negotiation Leverage: Buyers paid about 99% of the asking price, unchanged from April, but slightly lower than May 2024.
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Days on Market: Homes averaged 39 days before selling—2 days faster than April, but slower than the 34-day average in May 2024.
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Inventory Supply: The current supply stands at 2.5 months, up from 1.9 months in May 2024.
🌆 Where Things Are Heating Up
Some cities saw major increases in listings.
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Washington, D.C. topped the list with a 25.4% year-over-year jump in new listings.
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Fayetteville, AR and Wichita, KS followed closely with 25.1% and 23.7% increases, respectively.
As for sales growth:
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Wichita saw a 14.1% increase in closed sales.
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Hartford, CT and Fayetteville, AR also experienced solid sales growth, suggesting growing demand in those markets.
🏡 Local Insights Matter
While national trends give a helpful overview, real estate is local. For example:
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Hartford, CT homes sold above asking price—averaging 104.9%—likely driven by regional affordability.
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San Francisco, CA and Manchester, NH remained competitive due to continued demand.
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Miami, FL offered more flexibility, with homes selling for about 93% of asking—possibly due to increased condo supply.
Fastest-moving market? Baltimore, MD, where homes sold in just 12 days.
Slower-moving areas? Miami and Fayetteville, where homes stayed on the market for an average of 76 days.
The Takeaway
The housing market is gradually finding its rhythm. Though prices are inching upward and interest rates remain a challenge for some, increased inventory is offering more choices for buyers and stronger negotiating power.
Sellers are still seeing solid interest and steady prices, making this an active and balanced summer market overall.