1254 ET - Slower demand from buyers has more homes for sale now than at any time since 2019, according to Zillow. With homes lingering on the market and less competition for them, a balance of power between buyers and sellers looks to have finally arrived. Sellers held the upper hand through most of the past five years as demand for homes far outweighed the options available. Sellers now returning to the market in greater numbers, along with a surge in new construction, has helped balance the scales. But affordability is still a major challenge. Home value growth is at a stand still and mortgage costs have ticked down ever so slightly from a year ago. But high prices and borrowing costs are still putting up high affordability hurdles for buyers, especially first-timers. (chris.wack@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 21, 2025 12:54 ET (16:54 GMT)

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