What’s the difference between a buyer’s and seller’s market?
Several factors influence the housing market, including mortgage interest rates, inflation, employment, investment, construction, immigration, government assistance programs, and the health of local and world economies. All of these influence the supply and demand of the market which, in turn, affects prices.There are three classifications experts use to describe the balance of supply and demand in the housing market:
Seller's market
A seller’s market is when there are more people looking to buy then there are homes available. This causes a rise in price above the long-term average rate of inflation. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio of 20% or higher.Buyer's market
In contrast, a buyer’s market is when there are many more homes for sale than there are buyers. As a result, prices increase slower than the long-term average rate of inflation. In extreme circumstances this can cause prices to decline. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio below 12%.Balanced market
A balanced market occurs when supply and demand are about the same, with home prices rising in line with long-term average rate of inflation. Typically this is indicated by a sales-to-active listings ratio between 12% and 20%.Summary
Over a sustained period of time:- a seller's market is represented by a ratio of 20% or higher
- a buyer's market is represented by a ratio of 11% or lower
- a balanced market rests between 12-19%
