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Nearly half of U.S. sellers are cutting prices

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2025/10/1 .. arly-half-of-u-s-sellers-are-cutting-prices.html
  Published in House and Home on Saturday, October 11th 2025 at 13:53 GMT by HousingWire
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

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Seller Price Cuts Drive a Shift in the U.S. Housing Market – October 2025

The October 2025 housing report from HousingWire reveals that U.S. home sellers are once again taking a strategic step to keep properties on the market: they’re cutting prices. The latest data, pulled from a combination of industry analysts and real‑estate platforms, shows a modest but noticeable decline in median home prices across the country. According to the HousingWire article, the median listing price fell by 2.3 % from September 2025, while price‑cut volumes surged 10 % month‑over‑month. The rise in price reductions is symptomatic of a housing market that is tightening on supply but facing an increasingly cautious buyer base.

What the Numbers Tell Us

The median price drop of 2.3 % is the second‑smallest decline in the last 18 months, suggesting that while sellers are easing their price expectations, the market is still relatively stable. The uptick in days on market points to slower absorption of new listings, a typical precursor to a buyer‑friendly environment.

HousingWire cites CoreLogic data that tracks price reductions for individual home listings, noting that single‑family homes have seen the most significant price cuts, averaging $7,500 off their original ask. Multi‑family rentals, in contrast, have remained largely price‑stable, as rental demand continues to outpace supply.

Regional Variations

The price‑cut trend is not uniform across the country. The HousingWire report highlights several key regional differences:

• Southeast (including Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi) – These markets are experiencing a 3.5 % median price drop, driven by an influx of out‑of‑state buyers and a high inventory of new listings. The region’s supply has increased to 7.2 months, compared with the national average of 6.8 months.
• Southwest (Texas, Arizona, Nevada) – Here, price reductions are only 1.2 %, as strong local economies keep home demand robust. Inventory remains at 6.5 months.
• Midwest (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois) – The Midwest shows a 2.8 % median price drop, reflecting an oversupply of single‑family homes and a more cautious buyer pool. Supply has reached 7.0 months.
• Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) – Despite the high cost of living, the Northeast is experiencing a 2.0 % price decline and a 6.6‑month inventory, largely driven by a slow market in the more expensive New York City region.

The regional data underscores how supply dynamics and buyer sentiment are interwoven, with price cuts acting as a lever for sellers to regain traction.

Why Sellers Are Cutting Prices

Interest rates remain a central factor. The Federal Reserve’s benchmark rate has held at 5.25 % for the last three quarters, leaving mortgage rates hovering in the 7 % range. Higher rates dampen affordability, pushing some buyers toward the second‑hand market or into price‑reduced listings. HousingWire links to a Federal Reserve Bank of New York analysis explaining how rate hikes historically correlate with a temporary dip in home prices.

A second driver is the excess inventory that built up during the pandemic‑era surge in home buying. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Housing Vacancy Survey, the national vacancy rate has risen to 2.6 %, up from 1.8 % in late 2024. The link to the Census data confirms that “the increase in inventory is driven largely by a slowdown in new construction and an over‑abundance of older homes being offered for sale.”

Finally, demographic shifts—with millennials entering peak home‑ownership age and baby boomers downsizing—are changing the shape of demand. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) article linked in HousingWire indicates that millennials are leaning toward “smaller, more affordable homes” and are more likely to accept a price reduction.

Market Outlook

HousingWire’s analysis suggests that the market is heading toward a balanced equilibrium rather than a dramatic price collapse. While sellers are making concessions, the underlying fundamentals—strong employment growth in most metro areas, low mortgage rates compared to the 1980s, and a sustained supply of new construction—indicate that the market will not experience a steep slide.

The report references a NAR forecast that anticipates median prices to recover in the coming quarters as inventory starts to tighten again. However, for buyers who have waited through the pandemic‑era “buyer’s market,” the current price cuts present an opportune window.

Key Takeaways

1. Median listing prices fell by 2.3 % in October 2025, the slowest decline in the past 18 months.
2. Price‑cut volume rose by 10 % month‑over‑month, with single‑family homes receiving the largest discounts.
3. Inventory reached 6.8 months, a modest increase that signals a gradual shift toward a more balanced market.
4. Regional variations exist, with the Southeast seeing the steepest price reductions, while the Southwest remains relatively stable.
5. Interest rates, excess inventory, and shifting demographics are the primary drivers behind sellers’ willingness to cut prices.

For buyers, the latest data suggests that the market is still favorable, particularly in regions with higher inventory. Sellers, on the other hand, should be mindful that while price cuts can accelerate sales, they also reduce potential earnings. Ultimately, the market appears poised for a steady transition rather than a sudden downturn.