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The Market Shift Realtors Can’t Ignore. (April Update)

| Sam MacArthur

The Market Shift Realtors Can’t Ignore

(April Update)

🔒 The “Golden Handcuff” Effect Is VERY Real

A recent survey by Clever Real Estate and Best Interest Financial shows something we’re all feeling in the industry.

  • 1 in 3 homeowners with a rate under 6% won’t sell at any price

  • That jumps to 52% for those under 3%

  • 75%+ of homeowners are still below 6%

  • Over 50% won’t consider selling unless rates drop below 5%

What this means:
Inventory isn’t just tight — it’s locked.
This is why listings still feel scarce despite demand shifts.

👉 Realtors Opportunity: Focus conversations around life events > interest rates (job changes, family, downsizing). That’s what’s actually driving movement right now.

🏠 Seller Struggle Is Rising (And It’s Showing Online)

According to Inman and Google Trends data:

  • Searches for “can’t sell house” just hit a 10-year high

  • Listings are sitting longer

  • Sellers are starting to feel the pressure of reality vs expectations

At the same time:

  • There are 44% more sellers than buyers (via Redfin)

  • That gap is up 30% year-over-year

What this means for you:
We are shifting into a skill-based listing market.

👉 Realtors Opportunity:
Agents who win right now are:

  • Pricing aggressively (not wishfully)

  • Positioning listings properly from Day 1

  • Having honest conversations upfront

📍 Not All Markets Are Created Equal

Data from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller shows a split market:

  • Sunbelt markets: Seeing price softness due to oversupply

  • Midwest & Northeast: Holding stronger due to limited inventory

Good news for us here:
Markets like ours are still relatively supply-constrained, which is helping values stay more stable compared to overheated areas.

👉 Realtors Opportunity:
Use this in your listing presentations —
“National headlines don’t equal local reality.”

💡 Third Topic: Buyers Are Still Active — They Just Need Help

Even with rates where they are:

  • Buyers haven’t disappeared — they’ve become payment-sensitive

  • Many are sitting on the sidelines due to uncertainty, not disinterest

What’s working right now:

  • Seller concessions (rate buydowns 🔑)

  • Creative financing strategies

  • Setting expectations early on monthly payment vs price

👉 Realtors Opportunity:
The agents winning right now are the ones who can say:
“Here’s how we make this deal work,” not “Let’s wait.”

📣 Quick Takeaway

  • Inventory is tight because sellers are locked in

  • But listings are also sitting because pricing matters more than ever

  • And buyers? Still there — just more strategic

If you want help structuring deals, running scenarios, or positioning offers to actually win in this market — I’ve got you.