The U.S. housing market is undergoing a significant slowdown in 2025, with rising inventory levels and cooling buyer demand creating challenges for sellers. According to Redfin, May 2025 saw 2,058,065 homes listed for sale nationwide, marking a 14.1% increase from earlier in the year and a 17.8% jump compared to May 2024, the highest inventory levels since the Great Recession.
Despite the surge in listings, homes are not selling as quickly as they used to, with many failing to meet price expectations. Elevated mortgage rates and stretched affordability have significantly cooled buyer activity. A survey by Redfin, highlighted by Inman, found that 71% of real estate agents did not close a single deal in 2024. As of 2025, over half of homes (53.5%) are selling below asking price, forcing sellers to either accept lower offers or wait longer for a sale.
Elana Newman, co-founder of 3 Step Home Sale, commented on the current market conditions, stating, 'Today's sellers are dealing with more competition, slower offers, and greater uncertainty. Traditional methods require agent fees, repairs, open houses, and weeks or months of waiting—it's just not working for a lot of people right now.'
3 Step Home Sale offers an alternative for sellers, providing as-is cash offers that allow homeowners to bypass traditional listing hassles. The company's proprietary 3-step process can deliver a cash offer in as little as 30 minutes and enable closings in as few as 7 days. Additionally, their 7-Day Flex Stay™ program allows sellers to remain in their home for up to one week after closing, offering flexibility during the moving process.
This slowdown in the housing market has significant implications for sellers, who may need to adjust their expectations and consider alternative selling methods to navigate the current challenges. The situation underscores the importance of understanding market trends and exploring all available options when looking to sell a home in today's environment.
