The housing market is shifting to the buyer’s balance

“The survey revealed an important shift: people not only take a step back because of the mortgage interest or house prices,” says Lisa Sturtevant, chief economist at Bright MLS. “They pause because of broader economic anxiety and financial pressure. It is no longer just about affordability – it is about stability.”

Buyers take a step back in the midst of financial fear

The survey, who collected answers from real estate professionals in the footprint of Bright in the second quarter of 2025, showed that almost 75% of the agents had buy their house searches-an increase of less than two-thirds in Q2 2024.

In contrast to previous years, fewer buyers withdraw due to failed offers (up to 32%of 56.2%) and more due to economic uncertainty (32.8%) and financial instability (18.1%).

First copper activity also reached a low point, with only 37.4% of the agents who reported with First-Timers in June-the lowest figure from Bright since the launch of the survey in early 2023.

House purchases are increasingly driven by changes in life, no preference. The share of buyers motivated by family reasons rose to 20.5%, while the trips of the track rose to 12.3%.

In the meantime, buyers who are ‘tired of renting’ fell to 26%and investment purchases fell to 13.2%.

“Today it is a lot of practical, needs -based market,” said Sturtevant. “People make movements because they have to, not necessarily because they want it.”

Sellers adapt, the expectations are shifting

On the seller’s side, the data shows a retreat when the price expectations are not paid – now the main reasons lists are drawn.

Almost 20% of the agents said that customers are selling due to unsatisfactory offers, an increase of 16% in 2024. Releation of giving up low mortgage interest and worries about finding a new house are now much less common reasons to postpone.

Despite these shifts, the total number of potential sellers who are reluctant were stable: 35% of the agents reported that at least one customer chose not to sell, a marginal increase of 34% last year.

Market moves to balance

For the first time in more than two years, the seller’s activities are expected to surpass the activities of the buyers, based on Bright’s own buyer and seller indexes.

In July, both indexes floated nearly 50 – a signal of rising balance. A year ago, on the other hand, the activities of the buyer was considerably higher (60) while the seller’s activity remains (23).

“We enter a phase in which house prices can further soften, and in some local markets in our footprint the prices will most likely fall year-on-year,” Sturtevant added. “Buyers who remain active have more leverage than they have had in years, and sellers have to praise competitive to attract offers.”