Spring and summer are typically prime seasons for home sales. But this year, something unusual is happening: more homeowners are pulling their listings. In May 2025, delistings jumped 35% compared to the previous year, with a 47% year-over-year increase.¹ When more homes are delisted, homebuyers and real estate investors might wonder what this trend means for their goals. It’s a surprising twist in a season that usually favors sellers. Let’s explore what’s happening—and what it might mean for your next move.

Challenges and opportunities.

When homes are delisted and inventory shrinks, buyers may face increased competition for the remaining properties on the market. This can lead to bidding wars and upward pressure on prices. However, not all delistings signal a permanent withdrawal. Some sellers may relist their homes later—possibly with more urgency or at adjusted prices—creating potential opportunities for buyers who stay engaged.

“If a home has been on the market for a while or returns after being delisted, the seller may be more open to negotiation,” said Brett Hively, Senior Vice President and Mortgage Capital Markets and Financial Strategist at Ameris Bank. “Buyers could find themselves in a stronger position to request concessions or offer below asking price, especially if the seller is motivated to close quickly.”

The waiting game.

Sellers may choose to delist their homes to wait for more favorable market conditions, anticipating an increase in demand or better prices in the future. Other reasons for delisting can include making improvements to the property or responding to life changes. If homebuyers and real estate investors encounter a home that has been unexpectedly delisted, they will need to adjust their strategy accordingly. 

“Buyers should consider looking for comparable homes, because there is no guarantee that a delisted home will be relisted in the near future,” said Hively. “If a home is relisted, there’s a possibility it may return to the market at a price higher than its initial listing price.”

Active inventory remains high.

The rise in delistings may reflect shifting seller sentiment, but the broader market still offers a wide range of opportunities for buyers. The number of active listings nationwide reached 1.086 million in June 2025, up from 839,992 in June 2024.² Additionally, the average time a home spent on the market was 53 days in June 2025, which is 5 days more than one year ago.³ 

With active listings still high and homes spending more time on the market, the impact of rising delistings may take time to fully materialize. For now, the data points to a market in transition—one where uncertainty is prompting sellers to pause, and buyers may need to act strategically as conditions continue to shift.


Sources:
¹ https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/delistings-home-seller-june-trends-report/
² https://www.realtor.com/research/June-2025-data/
³ https://www.realestatenews.com/2025/07/08/is-the-surge-in-delistings-good-news-for-buyers


The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Ameris Bank does not endorse nor is affiliated with the companies listed in this article.