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In Mid-Q3, sellers outnumbered buyers by 57.9%, the widest gap since 2013, with 1.53M sellers and 972.3K buyers nationwide across the US market.
Listings drove the shift: sellers ↑3.9% MoM, the largest monthly increase in a portal's records, while buyers posted just ↑0.1% nationwide overall.
Active buyers gained leverage in Mid-Q3: three in five homes sold below original list price, as inventory hit its highest level since 2020.
Even with stronger bargaining power, affordability stayed tight: 30-yr mortgage rates hovered in the high-6% range, and the national median sale price was ↑2.2% yearly.
The earlier mortgage lock-in eased, bringing more owners to market, but demand stayed constrained; existing-home sales ↓2% to a 3.98M annual pace.

There’s a lot of buzz around AI home valuation tools promising lightning-fast estimates, efficiency, and lower costs. But as we see every day at The Brooks Group, accuracy can be another story—especially when these tools are used in place of boots-on-the-ground expertise for pricing, lending, or tax assessments. Free online platforms offer quick ballpark numbers by crunching public records, listings, and past sales data, but remember: these are not appraisals. It’s easy for homeowners to be misled—these figures often miss the nuances that truly shape a home’s value.

On the professional side, there are more advanced tools for lenders and investors, with subscriptions or per-report fees. Some even layer in forecasting, workflow automation, or human review to boost consistency. But there’s a growing concern: algorithms can reflect—and reinforce—historical biases, which may undervalue certain neighborhoods. That can directly impact equity, refinancing options, or sales outcomes, and it’s drawing increased regulatory attention.

Here’s what our experience has taught us: automated valuations are great assistants, but not substitutes for transparency, independent audits, and seasoned human insight. When it comes to your home, legacy, and financial future, there’s no replacement for a relationship-driven approach rooted in integrity and expertise.

Pending home sales inched up just 0.3% nationwide this month, signaling a cautious but steady market shift. Even with contract signings now down about 5% compared to this time last year, we’re seeing buyers still stepping into the process—despite mortgage rates sitting near 7%, up from the mid-6% range we saw previously. It’s a reminder that while incomes are rising a bit faster than home prices, higher borrowing costs are balancing out that extra buying power.

Pending sales reflect the earliest signals of where our housing market is heading, since they’re based on signed contracts before closing. As we settle into the cooler months, fewer buyers typically means more room for negotiation—a window of opportunity for those looking to make a move. Warmer summer months, on the other hand, usually bring more homes to the market and a wider selection.

At The Brooks Group, finding purpose and building legacies through homeownership guides every step we take. Our deep-rooted market knowledge and commitment to personalized service are here to help you navigate these shifts with clarity and confidence.

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In today’s market, we’re seeing US construction lead times stretch to 100 weeks, shaped by pressures felt worldwide. Recent shifts in metals pricing—aluminium, for example, dipped briefly during a ceasefire but surged again as renewed tensions affected Strait of Hormuz shipping routes. Nickel is climbing as Indonesian shipments slow, and concrete costs continue to rise due to increased energy, transportation, and raw material expenses, though the effects vary locally. Even insulation isn’t immune, with petroleum-based polyiso boards seeing price hikes of approximately 5%-8%—adding to previous increases of 6%-12%. Gypsum and steel stud manufacturers have announced new price bumps as well, driven by material and energy costs, though softer residential demand is helping to limit some of the impact. Meanwhile, lumber hit a four-year high, with Canadian tariffs and mill cutbacks tightening supply, though there are hints of relief ahead.

For those navigating homeownership or investment decisions, it’s essential to understand how these factors may shape your plans and timelines. Our commitment at The Brooks Group is to guide you through every step, with transparency and deep market insight—so your goals remain at the center, even as the landscape evolves.