Buyers and Sellers, listen up. The housing market is changing rapidly—and not in your favor if you sit on the sidelines much longer.

**The typical home now takes 38 days to go under contract—**the slowest May pace since 2020. And even more alarming? Home sales were canceled at a higher rate this May than in any other May on record.

🔔 Translation: Sellers are nervous, and buyers are getting cold feet. That creates a unique, time-sensitive opening for those ready to move decisively.

This article addresses NATIONAL trends, but what’s happening LOCALLY? Remember the 2nd oldest saying in real estate… “Real Estate Is ALL Local!” Use the link at the bottom of this article to access local trends you must not miss. Be smart, use local data!

When buying or selling, should you focus more on local market trends or national real estate trends?

✅ Prices Are Still Rising—But Not for Long

In May, the median U.S. home price hit $440,997, the highest ever for the month of May. While price growth slowed to just 0.7% year-over-year, markets like Oakland (-6.7%), Jacksonville (-5.2%), and Dallas (-4.6%) are already seeing price declines.

Some real estate analysts now predict national home prices* will begin declining by late 2025. But here's the kicker: that process is already underway in over 10 major markets.

🚨 BUYERS: Your Leverage Is Growing Fast

Why? Because sellers now outnumber buyers, and the old “sellers hold all the cards” narrative no longer applies. In May:

• The share of homes selling above asking price dropped to just 31.2%, a 5-year low.

• The typical home took nearly a week longer to go under contract than last year.

• Active inventory hit its highest level since March 2020—up 16.2% year over year.

🔑 That means you have more choices, more time to negotiate, and a growing pool of motivated sellers ready to deal.

🛑 Don’t Fall for the “I’ll Wait for Rates to Drop” Myth

Yes, mortgage rates are hovering around 6.82%—but some bond market watchers expect them to stay near 7% for the rest of the year. Waiting for a miracle drop? That’s a gamble most regret taking.

Meanwhile, new listings are already cooling off—down 2.9% from April—which means the fresh inventory pipeline is slowing again. The window to choose from the best homes and secure a deal before competition heats up is narrow and shrinking.

💥 Deals Are Falling Apart—and That’s an Opportunity

In May, 14.6% of pending home sales fell through—the highest May cancellation rate on record. That includes markets like:

• San Antonio, TX – 21.3% cancellations

• Orlando, FL – 20%

• Jacksonville, FL – 19.7%

When deals collapse, smart buyers jump in. You may find a seller suddenly willing to accept your offer if you move fast and close confidently.

📈 Market Stats You Can’t Ignore (May 2025)

Metric
Status
YoY Change

Median Sale Price
$440,997
⬆️ 0.7%

Homes for Sale (Inventory)
1.96M
⬆️ 16.2%

Median Days on Market
38
⬆️ 6 days

Homes Selling Above List
31.2%
⬇️ 3.8 pts

Pending Sales Falling Through
14.6%
⬆️ Highest on record

⚡The Clock Is Ticking. Here’s What You Should Do NOW:

If you're serious about buying, now is your time to seize control of this shifting market. You’ll never have more:

• Leverage

• Inventory choices

• Willing sellers

…but this window won’t last. As the market rebalances and mortgage rate expectations shift, today’s opportunity could become tomorrow’s regret.

📲 Let’s Strategize Before Everyone Else Wakes Up

Contact me today and I’ll walk you through:

• The neighborhoods where sellers are most negotiable

• Homes likely to slash prices next

• How to avoid costly bidding wars before they return

📞 Don't wait. Let's talk today—before someone else buys the home that could’ve been yours.

* is there really such a thing as a “national real estate market” or is the 2nd oldest saying really true and that’s “REAL ESTATE IS ALL LOCAL” 

Access Local Real Estate Trends Here