Interest rates in 2025 have slowed down casual browsing and pushed serious buyers to plan with more precision. Many are getting pre‑approved earlier and narrowing their criteria before scheduling tours.

Sellers, in response, are adjusting list prices and offering concessions like rate buydowns or closing‑cost help.

The overall pace of transactions hasn’t stopped, but the mindset has shifted: buyers are more cautious, and sellers are more flexible. Market watchers expect this trend to continue through the first half of the year, especially in suburban and rural counties where inventory remains tight.