The housing market is showing several signs of slowing, providing a much-needed break for potential buyers who have been waiting to jump into the market. Existing-home sales were 2.4 percent lower in the third quarter than a year ago, and the drop comes at a time when many areas are starting to see an uptick in new listings.
Home prices in many markets are no longer rising by double digits—or even single digits—annually. But with a strong economy and low unemployment, the housing dip is more of a rebalancing of the market than a sign of a downturn, housing analysts say.
Sellers are realizing there is a slowdown and are starting to cut their prices to better compete. Nearly 29 percent of listings in major markets during the month ending Oct. 14 saw price reductions, according to the real estate brokerage Redfin. “The cycle has moved from seller-advantage to at least mildly buyer-advantage in many parts of the United States,” writes Kenneth Harney, a nationally syndicated real estate columnist. “If you’re a buyer, take your time. But keep in mind: If you shop diligently, this fall could be a smart time to catch a deal—a marked-down price on the house you really want.”
