How to Determine if You Are in a Buyer’s Market or Seller’s Market

“Is it a buyer’s market or a seller’s market?” gets asked constantly — but the honest answer changes by metro, by season, and right now, in DFW specifically, it has a clear answer backed by real numbers.

The Three Numbers That Actually Tell You

Ignore the headlines and watch these instead:

• Inventory — how many homes are for sale relative to how many buyers are shopping. More listings than buyers favors buyers; the reverse favors sellers.
• Days on market — how long homes sit before going under contract. Homes selling in under 30 days signal a seller’s market; 45+ days signals buyers have leverage.
• Price direction — are list prices holding, climbing, or getting cut? Watch the share of listings with price reductions, not just the median.

Right Now in DFW

By all three measures, Dallas-Fort Worth is currently a buyer’s market — one of the strongest in the country, in fact:

• There are roughly twice as many sellers as buyers active in the DFW market, placing it among the top-ten buyer’s markets of the 49 largest U.S. metro areas.
• The median DFW home price sits at $435,999, down 0.9% year-over-year.
• About 24–26% of active DFW listings have had at least one price reduction — a clear sign sellers are adjusting expectations downward to meet buyer demand.
• Homes are averaging 56–59 days on market before going under contract, roughly double the pace of a hot seller’s market.

This isn’t a crash — it’s a correction. Prices ran up sharply during 2020–2022 and are now settling back down as higher rates and more inventory shift leverage toward buyers. Well-priced homes in strong school districts are still moving quickly; overpriced listings are the ones sitting.

What This Means If You’re Buying

• You have real negotiating room. With sellers cutting prices on roughly a quarter of listings, asking for a lower price, seller-paid closing costs, or repairs after inspection is a reasonable, common ask right now — not a long shot.
• You can afford to be selective. With homes sitting 7–8 weeks on average, you’re rarely forced into a same-day offer without inspection contingencies.
• Being pre-qualified still matters. A buyer’s market rewards patience, but the best-priced homes in the best areas still move fast — you want to be ready to act the moment one shows up.

Ready to shop DFW’s buyer’s market with real leverage? Get pre-qualified so you can move fast on the right home. Get Pre-Qualified →