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What Happens When the Market Goes Quiet?

It’s not always the bidding wars that tell the best story. Sometimes, it’s the quiet moments—the listings that linger a little longer, the buyers who pause before making their move—that say the most about where the market’s headed. Across the country, real estate is catching its breath. Sales of existing homes are pacing toward their lowest levels in thirty years—just four million expected this year—but this isn’t a crash. It’s a shift. And with every shift comes new opportunity. We’re in what some economists are calling a “red flare” moment, a sign that the market is recalibrating after a whirlwind few years. High mortgage rates—hovering near 7%—have cooled the pace, and both buyers and sellers are adjusting. But this isn’t a time to panic. Instead, it’s a time to plan.

Currently, inventory is up 31% yearly, while withdrawn listings have jumped 47%. That tells us something important: some sellers are stepping back, unsure how to navigate today’s conditions. However, others are leaning in—repositioning, strategically pricing, and still landing successful deals.

I’ve seen it play out time and time again: two listings, nearly identical on paper, yet only one draws serious attention. The difference isn’t luck—it’s strategy. One seller clings to 2022 pricing and waits for the market to catch up. The other takes a tailored, data-driven approach—pricing with intention, staging with today’s buyer in mind. That’s the listing that gets showings within days.

Behind every sale right now is a story of adaptability. Builders are catching on, too—38% of new homes sold in July included price adjustments, up from 29% in April. And while no one enjoys adjusting expectations, the result is clear: those who respond thoughtfully to today’s climate are still making meaningful moves.

Buyers, meanwhile, haven’t disappeared—they’re just more discerning. They’re comparing mortgage rates, weighing long-term value, and thinking carefully about where they want to be. According to experts, even a modest drop in rates to 6% could bring 160,000 new buyers off the sidelines. That demand is waiting in the wings.

So what happens when the market goes quiet? The savvy step forward. Because in quieter moments, there’s space to think, to position a home with intention, and to act without the pressure of a frenzy.

Now more than ever, success in real estate comes down to strategy. Whether buying or selling, you need someone who understands the market. You need someone who knows how to price accordingly, stage intentionally, and act at the right moment. The slowing market isn’t the end of opportunity; it’s just the beginning of a more thoughtful one.

Until next time,

Dee Dee Guggenheim Howes

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/real-estate/article-14933451/Housing-market-flashes-fresh-red-alert-key-signal-crashes-30-year-low.html

https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-existing-home-sales-report-shows-2-7-decrease-in-june

https://www.nahb.org/news-and-economics/press-releases/2025/07/builder-confidence-edges-up-in-july

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/housing-market-at-a-crossroads-inventory-climbs-but-some-sellers-hold-out-302499164.html