What the Summer Housing Report Means for You

U.S. Housing Market Snapshot:

As summer heats up, so does the housing market. May brought several notable shifts that both buyers and sellers should pay attention to. Recent national data shows that while inventory is growing across many markets, affordability continues to challenge some buyers. Let’s break down the key highlights and what they might mean for your real estate journey.

More Listings, More Opportunities

May marked the fourth consecutive month of increasing home sales, rising 8.6% from April. However, compared to May of the previous year, sales were down by 3.5%.

Inventory continues to trend upward for the 17th month in a row, now sitting 34.8% higher than it was a year ago. Month-to-month, May 2025 saw an 8.3% increase in available homes.

What does this mean for buyers?More choices on the market can lead to stronger negotiating power. In markets with higher supply, buyers may be able to negotiate items like repair costs, closing dates, or seller-paid fees more easily than during peak seller-dominant periods.

Home Prices Hold Steady

While prices inched upward, they did so modestly. The median sales price in May reached $442,000—just a 0.6% increase from the same time last year.

This suggests a stable pricing environment. While some buyers may be holding out for lower prices, the data doesn’t indicate a dramatic drop on the horizon.

Spotlight on Atlanta

Real estate remains highly local, and in Atlanta, activity picked up. May brought more new listings and increased sales compared to April. With homes staying on the market a bit longer, buyers might find room to negotiate—though they should act decisively in this still-competitive environment.

Quick Stats at a Glance

• Buyer Leverage: Buyers paid about 99% of the asking price—matching April’s average, but down slightly from May last year.

• Time on Market: Homes averaged 39 days on the market in May—two days less than the previous month, but longer than the 34-day average in May 2024.

• Inventory Supply: Supply increased to 2.5 months—up from 1.9 months one year prior.

Where Are the Hot Spots?

Some markets experienced a surge in new listings.

• Washington, D.C. saw a 25.4% year-over-year increase.

• Fayetteville, AR followed with 25.1%.

• Wichita, KS came in at 23.7%.

Sales were also strong in:

• Wichita, KS (+14.1%)

• Hartford, CT

• Fayetteville, AR

These areas may reflect shifting buyer demand or growing affordability.

Market Personality by City

Every city tells a different story.

• Hartford, CT homes sold for 104.9% of the asking price, possibly due to relative affordability compared to neighboring metro areas.

• San Francisco, CA and Manchester, NH remain competitive markets with high demand.

• Miami, FL saw buyers paying closer to 93% of asking price, suggesting room for negotiation—especially with condo inventory.

• Baltimore, MD saw homes sell quickly—averaging just 12 days on the market.

• Miami, FL and Fayetteville, AR, on the other hand, averaged 76 days.

So, What’s the Takeaway?

The housing market is showing signs of balance. Inventory is growing, giving buyers more choice and leverage. Prices remain relatively steady, and while interest rates remain a factor, opportunities exist on both sides of the transaction.

Whether you're buying, selling, or watching the market closely, there's activity and potential worth exploring. Staying informed and working with a knowledgeable local real estate expert can help you navigate this evolving landscape confidently.