The most competitive real estate markets in the country have shifted in 2025.

(Nexstar) – The landscape of real estate is evolving. After several years leaning in favor of sellers, the market entered a “neutral” phase this summer, according to an updated heat index from Zillow.

But national statistics can be misleading. In some places, homes linger on the market for weeks, while in others, they’re selling rapidly.

In the Sunbelt, known for its hot real estate market during the pandemic, conditions are cooling down, offering a bit more ease for buyers.

“Regions like Texas and Florida were hugely popular at the pandemic’s outset. People flocked there for outdoor lifestyles and affordability,” explained Kara Ng, a senior economist at Zillow. “Builders responded to this surge in demand, ramping up construction to increase housing availability in these areas.”

Conversely, the Northeast and California continue to experience a seller’s market.

“In these regions, particularly in places like New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, we face geographical and regulatory limitations that hinder the ability to build more homes,” Ng added. “Much of the available space for construction is already taken up.”

Interestingly, out of the cities characterized as “strong seller markets,” only two—San Francisco and Milwaukee—are outside the Northeast. The most prominent seller’s markets highlighted by Zillow include:

1. Rochester, New York
2. Syracuse, New York
3. Buffalo, New York
4. Hartford, Connecticut
5. Springfield, Massachusetts
6. Albany, New York
7. Bridgeport, Connecticut
8. New York, New York
9. San Francisco, California
10. New Haven, Connecticut
11. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
12. Providence, Rhode Island

On the flip side, inventory has increased in states like Florida, which became a go-to destination during the pandemic. Almost half of the 14 cities identified as “buyer markets” by Zillow are in Florida.

The most favorable buyer markets in the US right now include:

1. Miami, Florida
2. Northport, Florida
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. Deltona, Florida
6. Jacksonville, Florida
7. Austin, Texas
8. Jackson, Mississippi
9. Palm Bay, Florida
10. Tampa, Florida
11. Atlanta, Georgia
12. Knoxville, Tennessee
13. Memphis, Tennessee
14. Durham, North Carolina

Additionally, numerous other cities are currently categorized as “neutral” markets as of 2025. For a detailed look, Zillow provides an interactive map and comprehensive data available here.