Published July 28, 2025
Are Buyers and Sellers In A Stand-off?
DESCRIPTION:
The real estate market is experiencing a fascinating standoff between buyers and sellers that resembles a high-stakes game of chicken. After 11 years of consistent price appreciation that culminated in the pandemic-fueled buying frenzy, we're witnessing a necessary period of market correction. This isn't a crash – it's simply the market taking a breath after a marathon sprint.
What makes today's market so challenging is the psychological dynamic at play. Sellers who've watched neighbors sell for premium prices during the peak are reluctant to accept current market realities. They anchor their expectations to past prices rather than present conditions, often missing the forest for the trees when it comes to their overall financial picture. Consider that a home purchased in 2017 for $340,000 might now sell for $575,000 rather than the hoped-for $650,000 – still a substantial $235,000 profit, yet many sellers feel disappointed.
The numbers tell the story: in just one week, we saw 44 homes withdrawn from the market as sellers refused to adjust prices, while 134 homes went under contract. The key insight? 98% of homes that sell do so within 2-3 weeks of hitting the right price. Time is not a seller's friend in this environment – properties lingering for months inevitably face buyer skepticism and lowball offers.
Certain segments face greater challenges, particularly vacation rentals with approximately two years of inventory. These owners often confront the painful choice between monthly losses and selling at a discount. For buyers, the question of timing remains complex – while sociological indicators suggest prices may continue softening, personal circumstances often dictate when you need to make your move.
Whether buying or selling in today's market, success depends on recognizing the fundamental reality: sellers aren't competing with buyers but with other sellers. Those who price correctly and act decisively will achieve the best outcomes in this transitional market. Ready to navigate these complex waters with experienced guides? Visit gostgeorge.com to download our summer home buying and selling guides and connect with our team.
Have other questions about living in, moving to, or visiting St. George and Southern Utah? Just ask!
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🌟 Who? Jeremy Larkin was born and raised in St. George, Utah and is the owner of The Larkin Group Real Estate Advisors.
📍 Where? Washington and Iron County, Utah, including, but not limited to St. George, Washington City, Ivins, Santa Clara, Hurricane, LaVerkin, Toquerville, Cedar City and Parowan.
💈 What? Jeremy and his team of expert advisors at The Larkin Group walk the best clients in the world through the brain surgery of Buying, Selling and Investing Southern Utah Real Estate! And perhaps more importantly, they LOVE this community and pouring their heart and soul into it!
📻 Tune in! Jeremy is the host of The "St. George Real Estate Morning" Drive radio show 94.9 FM / 890 AM. You can stream the weekly program Thursdays at 8:35 AM here: https://tinyurl.com/radiorealestate
🙏 Give: The St. George Basket Brigade feeds 200+ families every Thanksgiving and supports local families, students and schools through organizations like Tan's Treats. Learn more and give at http://stgeorgebasketbrigade.org/
🔍 SEARCH ALL HOMES AND LAND in Washington County https://www.gostgeorge.com/
🔗 CHECK YOUR CURRENT HOME EQUITY @ https://www.gostgeorge.com/homevalue
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:05:42] The 13-Year Market Perspective
[00:10:15] The Seller and Buyer Standoff
[00:15:10] Reality of Pricing and Losses
[00:19:26] Market Data and Price Reductions
[00:22:50] Selling Strategy and Future Outlook
