Increased Price Reductions Could Give Buyers More Room to Negotiate This Spring
- Newly listed homes increase 4.2% year over year, slightly slower than January's pace
- Homes actively for sale increase 27.5% compared with last year
- Impact of the recent turmoil within the Federal workforce is not yet apparent in housing data
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sellers are increasingly adjusting to the current market conditions, as the share of homes with price reductions grew to 16.8%, up from 14.6% last February, according to the Realtor.com® February Monthly Housing Report. Sellers increased their activity this February, as newly listed homes rose 4.2% above last year's levels, marking the highest February activity since 2021.
"While rates remain elevated, we are beginning to see green shoots in the market as sellers grow tired of waiting for significant changes in interest and mortgage rates," said Danielle Hale, chief economist, Realtor.com®. "If these trends continue for the next few months, we could see a market that is entering into more balanced terrain, with rising inventory and a potential future slowdown in price growth. While the market does not look like it did before the pandemic, we are moving away from the ultrahigh demand, low inventory period we saw in 2021 and 2022."
In February, the median home listing price dipped below last year's level, to $412,000, and sellers listed their homes at greater rates than last year, with newly listed homes increasing 4.2% year over year. More smaller homes were listed this year, which decreased the median list price relative to last year.
Federal Employment Uncertainty Has Not Yet Reached the Housing Market
Despite a swell of attention, data from this month's report shows that there is no clear connection yet between the markets experiencing the most significant slowdowns and those with a large government workforce. As of February, these markets have not shown notable trends in inventory growth, increasing time on market, softening prices or price reductions. Given the recency of these workforce changes, this is expected at this point in time, and it does not rule out future effects. The health of a local housing market is often tied to the health of the local labor market. Federal workforce reductions could have ripple effects on housing markets with a high concentration of government employees, and the degree of the impact is likely to depend on the health of the private sector in these markets and its ability to provide new opportunities.
For now, housing conditions in these areas are not notably different from other markets. Prior research from Realtor.com® suggests that the typical home seller takes at least two weeks, and often longer, to prepare a home for sale, so any real impact is likely ahead.
In the Washington, D.C., area, price reductions increased by 2.3 percentage points compared to last February, in line with the national trend, placing it 23rd on the list of metros with the largest increases in price reductions—about the middle of the ranking. The median list price per square foot has also declined year over year, with the metro ranking 21st in terms of price declines. Notably, Washington, D.C.'s share of price reductions has risen each week throughout February, suggesting that broader effects could become more apparent as the spring market unfolds. Buyers and sellers in the region may want to monitor trends closely as the market continues to adjust.
Homes Stay on the Market Longer than 2024, But Still Move Faster than Pre-Pandemic
Homes are staying on the market longer, and February 2025 is the 11th month in a row where homes have spent more time on market compared to the previous year. Homes in February spent on average 66 days on the market, 11 fewer days than the average February between 2017 and 2019. Regionally, the South and Midwest saw the biggest gains in time on market this month, averaging an additional seven and eight days on market, respectively.
February 2025 Housing Metrics – National | ||
Metric | Change over Feb. 2024 | Change over Jan. 2019 |
Median listing price | -0.8% (to $412,000) | +39.2 % |
Active listings | +27.5 % | -23.1 % |
New listings | +4.2 % | -13.7 % |
Median days on market | +5 days (to 66 days) | -9 days |
Share of active listings with price | +2.2 percentage points (to 16.8%) | +1.2 percentage points |
Median List Price Per Sq.Ft. | +1.2 % | +54.8 % |
February 2025 Housing Overview of the 50 Largest Metros | ||||||
Metro Area | Federal | Median Listing | Median Listing | Median Listing | Median Listing | Median Listing |
1.8 % | $398,894 | -2.7 % | -1.3 % | 24.8 % | 55.9 % | |
1.0 % | $499,000 | -7.9 % | -5.9 % | 42.6 % | 54.3 % | |
3.7 % | $350,000 | 6.2 % | 2.0 % | 16.7 % | 28.5 % | |
1.8 % | $285,000 | 0.3 % | 0.5 % | 20.3 % | 33.6 % | |
1.4 % | $839,450 | -1.8 % | 1.6 % | 52.8 % | 73.6 % | |
2.0 % | $249,974 | -0.5 % | 1.1 % | 37.0 % | 52.7 % | |
0.8 % | $419,475 | 4.9 % | 1.3 % | 27.2 % | 62.2 % | |
1.2 % | $349,450 | -2.9 % | -0.3 % | 11.9 % | 30.2 % | |
1.4 % | $324,950 | -3.7 % | 2.2 % | 28.0 % | 54.6 % | |
2.0 % | $241,725 | 14.0 % | 14.9 % | 34.3 % | 60.1 % | |
1.4 % | $349,700 | -7.2 % | 1.6 % | 29.9 % | 59.9 % | |
1.2 % | $415,950 | -4.4 % | -0.6 % | 19.7 % | 43.6 % | |
1.8 % | $572,500 | -6.1 % | -3.0 % | 14.6 % | 44.3 % | |
1.5 % | $239,900 | 4.6 % | 2.9 % | 9.1 % | 26.9 % | |
0.6 % | $384,725 | -6.2 % | -2.3 % | 39.1 % | 52.6 % | |
0.9 % | $433,700 | 6.6 % | 12.4 % | 48.4 % | 61.8 % | |
1.0 % | $358,000 | -0.5 % | -1.0 % | 15.5 % | 37.6 % | |
1.8 % | $300,000 | -5.8 % | 0.1 % | 16.6 % | 52.8 % | |
2.5 % | $388,098 | -5.3 % | -3.3 % | 29.4 % | 51.1 % | |
2.6 % | $379,450 | -9.9 % | -0.9 % | 21.4 % | 44.2 % | |
1.3 % | $469,974 | 1.1 % | 3.0 % | 51.2 % | 58.0 % | |
0.9 % | $1,119,000 | -1.6 % | 1.4 % | 49.3 % | 55.1 % | |
1.6 % | $309,950 | -0.3 % | 1.6 % | 20.2 % | 44.7 % | |
2.8 % | $328,050 | 1.3 % | 2.7 % | 59.4 % | 69.8 % | |
1.2 % | $515,000 | -6.4 % | -5.1 % | 32.1 % | 48.4 % | |
1.3 % | $374,950 | 6.4 % | 6.8 % | 43.2 % | 54.4 % | |
1.1 % | $434,950 | 0.1 % | -0.6 % | 11.6 % | 28.4 % | |
1.5 % | $529,450 | -5.4 % | -1.0 % | 47.4 % | 63.3 % | |
1.1 % | $766,889 | 1.9 % | -2.4 % | 39.6 % | 79.4 % | |
4.2 % | $314,992 | -2.6 % | 1.3 % | 33.5 % | 47.2 % | |
1.2 % | $418,950 | -3.7 % | -2.4 % | 39.0 % | 54.2 % | |
1.8 % | $350,000 | 3.0 % | 4.4 % | 40.0 % | 59.4 % | |
1.0 % | $515,000 | -4.9 % | -1.0 % | 47.2 % | 59.3 % | |
1.7 % | $229,000 | 0.9 % | 2.3 % | 37.1 % | 38.0 % | |
1.4 % | $598,415 | -0.3 % | -0.6 % | 25.2 % | 40.0 % | |
1.4 % | $534,900 | 7.0 % | 7.8 % | 49.7 % | 52.7 % | |
0.9 % | $435,962 | -1.5 % | 0.4 % | 22.9 % | 54.7 % | |
2.7 % | $429,653 | -4.2 % | 2.3 % | 34.5 % | 59.8 % | |
1.0 % | $599,450 | 0.7 % | 0.8 % | 49.9 % | 59.9 % | |
1.3 % | $619,000 | -2.2 % | -1.3 % | 34.0 % | 39.0 % | |
3.0 % | $327,000 | -2.4 % | -2.1 % | 14.4 % | 36.6 % | |
3.1 % | $949,995 | -4.7 % | -2.0 % | 42.0 % | 62.4 % | |
1.2 % | $899,944 | -9.0 % | -7.3 % | 1.5 % | 17.9 % | |
1.0 % | $1,304,500 | -4.6 % | 0.2 % | 19.1 % | 21.4 % | |
1.5 % | $737,400 | -3.6 % | 0.9 % | 24.2 % | 54.0 % | |
1.8 % | $276,799 | -3.7 % | -2.8 % | 31.8 % | 31.0 % | |
2.0 % | $399,000 | -4.0 % | -4.0 % | 47.8 % | 64.2 % | |
2.8 % | $396,200 | -1.0 % | -1.2 % | 38.7 % | 55.7 % | |
7.0 % | $392,500 | 1.4 % | 5.4 % | 41.7 % | 53.9 % | |
11.0 % | $579,995 | -3.3 % | 0.0 % | 28.9 % | 58.4 % | |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, State and Area Employment, Hours, and Earnings, Employed and Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics : Government - Federal Government
Metro Area | Active Listing | New Listing | Median Days | Median Days | Price– | Price- |
40.9 % | 7.1 % | 58 | 16 | 20.5 % | 5.1 pp | |
19.6 % | 1.7 % | 66 | 6 | 20.2 % | -0.6 pp | |
30.5 % | 3.5 % | 41 | -3 | 12.8 % | 1.4 pp | |
17.2 % | 6.4 % | 71 | 5 | 15.0 % | 1.7 pp | |
11.7 % | -2.8 % | 33 | 0 | 9.5 % | 1.7 pp | |
25.2 % | -20.0 % | 79 | 13 | 6.0 % | 0.8 pp | |
45.7 % | 9.3 % | 56 | 11 | 20.9 % | 6.4 pp | |
9.0 % | -0.1 % | 43 | 2 | 10.4 % | 1.5 pp | |
25.4 % | 9.5 % | 50 | 11 | 14.0 % | 3.1 pp | |
11.7 % | -6.0 % | 61 | 10 | 13.0 % | 1.8 pp | |
34.8 % | 4.3 % | 49 | 12 | 18.4 % | 2.6 pp | |
36.1 % | 0.2 % | 56 | 9 | 22.0 % | 2.8 pp | |
64.4 % | 20.1 % | 44 | 10 | 22.9 % | 8.0 pp | |
6.2 % | -8.3 % | 52 | 6 | 11.1 % | -0.3 pp | |
29.8 % | 5.2 % | 56 | 5 | 10.7 % | 2.9 pp | |
4.4 % | -1.7 % | 38 | -3 | 6.0 % | -0.1 pp | |
28.1 % | 8.8 % | 54 | 6 | 17.6 % | 0.9 pp | |
22.8 % | 0.3 % | 63 | 4 | 19.6 % | 3.9 pp | |
36.8 % | -3.7 % | 66 | 16 | 26.6 % | 5.8 pp | |
11.4 % | -4.2 % | 75 | 3 | 10.7 % | -0.1 pp | |
60.8 % | 19.7 % | 47 | 8 | 19.2 % | 5.7 pp | |
43.0 % | 27.1 % | 39 | -1 | 11.8 % | 2.9 pp | |
19.8 % | -3.1 % | 51 | 4 | 17.0 % | 2.6 pp | |
29.1 % | -2.0 % | 71 | 4 | 19.2 % | 1.0 pp | |
39.2 % | 7.1 % | 74 | 12 | 20.6 % | 1.0 pp | |
11.1 % | 24.3 % | 36 | -1 | 11.3 % | 1.2 pp | |
8.8 % | -6.3 % | 41 | 4 | 9.8 % | 1.3 pp | |
30.8 % | 12.9 % | 55 | 16 | 16.0 % | -1.4 pp | |
1.0 % | 0.0 % | 68 | -1 | 5.9 % | -0.6 pp | |
34.2 % | 5.1 % | 52 | -4 | 17.0 % | -1.1 pp | |
43.8 % | 17.1 % | 74 | 10 | 23.3 % | 3.6 pp | |
14.6 % | -3.4 % | 52 | -7 | 11.8 % | 0.8 pp | |
45.3 % | 14.7 % | 56 | 11 | 30.2 % | 5.2 pp | |
13.7 % | -10.1 % | 86 | 9 | 14.2 % | -0.2 pp | |
24.8 % | -2.0 % | 75 | 21 | 22.5 % | 3.5 pp | |
20.2 % | -3.0 % | 39 | 1 | 8.7 % | 1.9 pp | |
41.6 % | 6.2 % | 53 | 9 | 15.7 % | 3.5 pp | |
16.9 % | -5.1 % | 49 | 1 | 10.5 % | 1.6 pp | |
47.2 % | 17.8 % | 60 | 10 | 17.0 % | 4.0 pp | |
45.4 % | 20.9 % | 39 | 0 | 13.4 % | 3.0 pp | |
15.1 % | 0.2 % | 76 | 8 | 24.7 % | 3.5 pp | |
61.3 % | 24.3 % | 34 | 1 | 14.6 % | 4.0 pp | |
34.0 % | 27.2 % | 30 | 2 | 9.4 % | 1.9 pp | |
46.1 % | 28.0 % | 22 | -1 | 7.3 % | 2.2 pp | |
40.8 % | 4.2 % | 35 | 3 | 11.2 % | 3.9 pp | |
13.8 % | 3.8 % | 53 | 5 | 12.7 % | 2.2 pp | |
28.9 % | 3.9 % | 66 | 9 | 27.5 % | 2.0 pp | |
47.4 % | 8.9 % | 52 | 8 | 24.1 % | 6.3 pp | |
27.2 % | 1.9 % | 39 | 3 | 16.0 % | 1.0 pp | |
41.0 % | 8.5 % | 34 | -3 | 10.8 % | 2.3 pp |
Methodology
Realtor.com® housing data as of February 2025. Listings include the active inventory of existing single-family homes and condos/townhomes/row homes/co-ops for the given level of geography on Realtor.com®; new construction is excluded unless listed via an MLS that provides listing data to Realtor.com®. Realtor.com® data history goes back to July 2016. The 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB-202301) and Claritas 2025 estimates of household counts. With the release of its January 2025 housing trends report, Realtor.com® has restated data points for some previous months. As a result of these changes, some of the data released since January 2025 will not be directly comparable with previous data releases (files downloaded before January 2025) and Realtor.com® economics research reports.
About Realtor.com®
Realtor.com® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com® is operated by News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS, NWSA]) [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.
Media contact: Mallory Micetich, [email protected]
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SOURCE Realtor.com