Understanding Market Conditions
| Market Conditions | Characteristics | Implications |
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Buyer’s Market: |
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The supply of homes on the market exceeds demand. |
High inventory of homes. Few buyers compared to availability. Homes on the market longer. Prices tend to drop in this type of market. |
More time to look for a home. More negotiating leverage. |
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Seller’s Market: |
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The number of buyers wanting homes exceeds the supply of homes on the market. |
Smaller inventory of homes. Many buyers. Homes sell quickly. Prices usually increase. |
You may have to pay more. Make decisions quickly. Conditional offers may be rejected. |
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Balanced Market: |
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The number of homes on the market is equal to the demand or the number of buyers. |
Demand equals supply. Homes sell within an acceptable time period. Prices generally stable. |
More relaxed atmosphere. Buyers have a reasonable number of homes to choose from. |


