A new report from Realtor.com, utilizing its Market Clock diagnostic tool, has identified eight U.S. metro areas as buyer's markets, signaling a shift in local housing conditions favoring buyers [1]. The Market Clock tracks months of supply, time on market, price changes, and list-to-sale ratios across the 50 largest U.S. metros. According to the report, 46% of these markets are balanced, 26% favor sellers, and only 16% are buyer's markets [1].
The eight buyer's markets are predominantly in the South, with Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa in Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Riverside, California as the sole Western outlier [1]. These metros are characterized by ample supply, a growing number of listings, and sellers lowering prices, with the Market Clock set at 5 o'clock for all eight, indicating favorable conditions for buyers [1].
Inventory growth has been notable in Riverside and Nashville, where active listings have surged 222% and 330% respectively since high interest rates reset the market in 2022, outpacing the national average increase of 172% since March 2022 [1]. The report also highlights that Atlanta, Austin, Nashville, and Riverside transitioned from late balanced markets to early buyer's markets compared to June 2025, while Jacksonville moved from balanced to buyer's market. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa maintained their status as early buyer's markets throughout the end of last year [1].
Realtor.com senior economist Jake Krimmel emphasized that buyers in these metros have both time and options this spring, allowing them to negotiate prices and concessions with sellers, although their leverage is not unlimited [1].
CONCLUSION
The Realtor.com report signals a shift in several major U.S. metro areas toward buyer-friendly conditions, driven by increased inventory and price reductions. This trend may provide prospective buyers with greater negotiating power and more choices, particularly in the identified markets. The overall market impact is medium, as these changes could influence local housing dynamics and pricing strategies.