5 U.S. Markets Where Buyers are Gaining the Upper Hand

It mostly remains a seller’s market across the country – unless you’re a looking in certain areas. According to the August 2025 REMAX National Housing Report, the following five metro areas in the U.S. experienced some positive shifts for buyers: increase in listings, decrease in pricing, and/or longer days on market.  

These factors tend to provide buyers with more options, potentially better deals, and more time to decide.  

Check out the five metros where some buyers gained an upper hand:  

• New Listings: 1,400 (+13.4% YoY) 
• Median Price Sold: $379,000 (+3.1%) 
• Days on Market: 50 days (-33.6%) 

Summary: Inventory went up and days on market increased, giving buyers more to choose from and more time to decide. And while prices rose, they did so at a moderate clip. 

• New Listings: 2,500 (+0.2% YoY) 
• Median Price Sold: $452,000 (+3.7%) 
• Days on Market: 57 days (+34.9%) 

Summary: Raleigh’s market cooled just enough to give buyers breathing room. Homes sat longer, and price growth was minimal. 

• New Listings: 250 (–19.1% YoY) 
• Median Price Sold: $699,000 (–4.9%)
• Days on Market: 72 days (+17.7%) 

Summary: While new listings were down, prices softened and homes took longer to sell — a signal that buyers may have had more negotiating power. 

• New Listings: 1,700 (+2.9% YoY) 
• Median Price Sold: $266,000 (–4.3%) 
• Days on Market: 42 days (+11.7%) 

Summary: Tulsa is one of the few markets where prices fell. Combined with longer market times and an uptick in new listings, the market shows a clear shift that offered buyers increased opportunity. 

• New Listings: 1,000 (–0.7% YoY) 
• Median Price Sold: $749,000 (+3.8%) 
• Days on Market: 59 days (+30.4%) 

Summary: Even in a high-demand destination like Honolulu, buyers saw more time to act and less aggressive price jumps. 

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to enter the market, these metros might offer the opportunity you’ve been looking for. More listings mean more choices. Slower price growth means less pressure. And longer days on market mean more time to make the right move. 

Contact a local REMAX agent today.