Are we headed into a buyer’s market?

Dear clients and friends,

You may be wondering: Is Cincinnati heading into a buyer’s market? It’s a smart question—and one we’ve been hearing more frequently as market conditions begin to shift. So let’s break it down together.

What Is a Buyer’s Market?

To start, it’s helpful to define what we mean by a “buyer’s market.” In real estate terms, a buyer’s market happens when there are six or more months of housing inventory available. That means there are more homes for sale than there are buyers actively looking—giving buyers more negotiating power, more options, and potentially better deals.

Right now in Cincinnati, we’re sitting at about two months of inventory. That’s still deep in seller’s market territory, where demand outpaces supply. But here’s the thing—there are signs we’re slowly shifting.

A Gradual Shift Toward Balance

We’re seeing two important trends in Cincinnati:

1. More homes are coming on the market. That’s a boost in supply.

2. Fewer buyers are shopping. That’s a dip in demand.

These two shifts suggest that we’re on a slow and steady path toward a more balanced market—where neither buyers nor sellers hold all the leverage.

What Could Tip the Scale?

If this shift continues, what might speed up the transition into a true buyer’s market? There are two main possibilities:

• Higher Interest Rates – If mortgage rates rise again, buyer demand could cool off quickly.

• A Surge in Listings – If many more homes hit the market at once, inventory could outpace demand.

Either event would push us closer to a buyer-friendly environment—but it would likely take a major economic trigger to cause that kind of shift in the short term.

Real Estate is Local—Very Local

Here’s the most important thing to remember: market trends are hyper-local. We’re not just talking about Cincinnati as a whole. One neighborhood may be heating up with multiple offers, while another just a few miles away might be sitting quietly with excess inventory.

That’s why it’s so important to get a neighborhood-specific perspective.

Let’s Talk About Your Market

Are you curious whether your area is acting like a buyer’s market, seller’s market, or something in between? The answer might surprise you—and it can vary block by block.

Feel free to call, text, or DM us. We’ll gladly take a look at your neighborhood and help you understand exactly where things stand. You don’t have to figure this out alone.