Example of a buyer's market Properties were in high demand and were likely to be sold, even if they were overvalued or in poor condition. In many cases, a home would receive several offers and the price would be bid above the seller's initial sale price. We can use the term for any market, such as oil, coffee, milk, cars, gold, etc. If supply has increased and demand has declined, it becomes a buyer's market.
A buyer's market occurs when there are more properties for sale than there are buyers to buy. While it may not be a buyer's market again for some time, if you're trying to wait for the current seller's market to pass, keep an eye on real estate trends to get an idea of changes in the market. After the housing market crash, there was a huge drop in demand for homes, creating a market for temporary buyers. The parts of the country most at risk of becoming a buyer's market in the near future are “areas with higher taxes combined with a concentration of secondary and tertiary housing,” says Erin Sykes, chief economist at Nest Seekers International.
For example, if a buyer is looking for a three-bedroom home in a particular area and several are available, they can afford to be picky about which one they prefer based on the best price, terms, or conditions. If you've been trying to buy a home in recent years, you're probably used to making offers as soon as a house comes on the market, regardless of whether it's perfect. The seller's market is a difficult time to be a buyer, but a seller could get tens of thousands of dollars above their selling price if they are a seller in a seller's market. A buyer's market is the ideal time to buy a home because it favors the buyer in negotiations, but you can also buy in a seller's market, there will simply be more competition to face.
Because there are more homes than there are buyers, the buyer has more power to decide what they want and is willing to negotiate when cooperating with sellers. Home prices tend to rise under these conditions, as buyers compete for the few options available and sellers are less likely to make concessions because they can receive multiple offers. So why does it matter if you're working with a buyer's or seller's marketplace? Is it feasible to buy a house under both conditions? The answer is yes: you can buy a home under most market conditions. You can track the ups and downs of the housing market by checking if the neighborhood you choose is experiencing a seller's or buyer's market.
Calgary real estate expert Jared Chamberlain explains the difference between the seller market and the buyer market. But when you're in a buyer's market, you don't have nearly the same level of pressure to make important decisions too quickly. Because of the large number of homes available, home prices tend to decline during buyer markets. Having the right agent in a buyer's market can also help you manage your own expectations and avoid costly mistakes when waiting for expensive offers that may never come.
