Strongest buyer and seller markets
Nationally, 36 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas qualify as buyer’s markets by Redfin’s definition, with seven balanced and seven still favoring sellers.Austin, Texas currently stands out as the strongest buyer’s market, with an estimated 114% more sellers than buyers in November; San Antonio, Nashville, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach also show outsized seller surpluses.
At the other extreme, Nassau County, New York is the strongest seller’s market in the country, with about 39.1% fewer sellers than buyers; Montgomery County (PA), Newark and New Brunswick (NJ), Milwaukee, San Francisco, and Cleveland round out the short list of seller-leaning metros.These Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets, including parts of New Jersey, tend to have tighter new‑construction pipelines and more constrained inventory, which helps preserve seller leverage even as the national picture favors buyers.
What’s driving the regional split
During the pandemic, Sun Belt metros surged in popularity as buyers left higher-cost coastal regions, prompting a sharp ramp‑up in homebuilding that is now contributing to today’s oversupply in many of those markets. States like Texas and Florida continue to lead the nation in new construction, while also grappling with stressors such as rising insurance premiums, higher HOA fees, and climate‑related risks that are nudging some homeowners to exit.
By contrast, the Northeast and Midwest issue far fewer building permits, and that slower pace of new construction helps keep inventory relatively tight and underpins stronger pricing in key East Coast metros. Redfin’s data show that home prices increased an average of 4.8% year over year in the seven seller’s markets in November, compared with roughly 3.2% in balanced markets and just 1.1% in buyer’s markets, reflecting the difference in negotiating power.
What this means for New Jersey and shore-area clients
For buyers in New Jersey—especially along the Shore and across Ocean and Monmouth Counties—the national numbers send a clear signal: leverage is improving broadly, even if truly local inventory still feels tight. Where listings linger and price cuts are becoming more common, serious, well‑qualified buyers can often negotiate more favorable terms, whether through lower prices, seller concessions, or more flexible contingencies.
For sellers, the message is to price precisely and prepare thoroughly.
In segments of New Jersey that behave more like Nassau County—with lean inventory and steady demand—well‑positioned properties can still command strong prices, but in areas aligning more with national buyer’s-market conditions, sellers may need to adjust expectations, offer concessions, or plan for a longer time on market.
Counsellors Title Agency will continue to monitor how this national buyer’s market intersects with New Jersey’s hyper‑local trends—particularly along the Toms River–Ocean County corridor—so that both buyers and sellers can approach 2026 with clear title, clean data, and a realistic understanding of their negotiating position.