We’re seeing a shift in the housing market right now—one that can really open doors for buyers. Over the four weeks ending August 23, there was a small but real uptick in new US listings (up 0.4% week over week) and a 0.5% rise in total homes for sale, reaching the highest point we've seen since early Q2. Yet, pending home sales dropped 1.1% to a six-month low, mostly because high housing costs are keeping many folks on the sidelines, even as more homes become available nationwide. The median US sale price climbed 1.9% year-over-year, now sitting above $400,000, and average mortgage rates are hovering near 7%—close to a 13-month high. If you’re actively shopping, this environment could work in your favor: more inventory and less competition mean there’s extra room to negotiate, whether you’re hoping for a price cut or other concessions. In my experience working with home buyers and sellers across Shelby and Jefferson Counties, I’ve seen that homes lingering on the market for a few weeks often present real opportunities for leverage, especially when sellers set realistic expectations rather than chasing last year’s prices. If your family is weighing a move, now might be the right time to have a real conversation about what’s possible.
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