Increased inventory and changing buyer behavior prompt realtors to rethink summer market engagement
As the real estate market reaches its summer peak, realtors across the United States are experiencing both opportunity and pressure. According to AgentUp’s July 2025 Real Estate Update, the current market reflects a return to more balanced conditions—marked by increased listings, longer time on market, and more discerning buyers. In this new climate, agents are retooling their sales strategies to maximize conversion during what remains one of the most active windows of the year.
A Market in Transition
Inventory levels have risen to 4.4 months of supply nationally, the highest figure since late 2019. Combined with mortgage rates hovering between 6.65% and 6.95%, buyers are no longer racing against scarcity but instead taking a more measured approach. This means realtors must shift from urgency-based sales pitches to value-based strategies, focused on education, transparency, and long-term affordability.
Realtors are using this period to fine-tune listings for impact. Homes are being staged to reflect aspirational summer lifestyles—complete with bright decor, outdoor seating arrangements, and natural light accents that evoke comfort and possibility. Open houses have also evolved beyond simple walk-throughs. Many agents now incorporate localized experiences, such as hosting open houses near school enrollment events, showcasing nearby parks, or partnering with local cafés to offer refreshments. These experiential tactics help convert traffic into offers by emphasizing lifestyle over price.
Technology and Time Management Take Center Stage
With more buyers evaluating homes remotely or over weekends, agents are investing in robust digital marketing campaigns. Listings now routinely include mobile-optimized 3D virtual tours, drone footage, and dynamic floorplans. Social platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are emerging as high-engagement tools for agents who want to reach buyers quickly and creatively.
To handle the uptick in summer transactions, many real estate teams are hiring transaction coordinators and using automation software to manage timelines, disclosures, and compliance tasks. This frees agents to focus on critical client interactions such as negotiations, pricing reviews, and guided showings. The goal, according to the report, is to maintain high-touch service while scaling operations efficiently.
Shifting Seller Expectations
While buyer activity has picked up, sellers are being advised to adjust expectations. The “name your price” era of 2021–2022 is over. Sellers who overprice risk languishing on the market for weeks, leading to eventual price reductions and reduced leverage. Realtors are spending more time counseling sellers on realistic list prices backed by current comps and absorption rates.
According to Jason Kim, a real estate strategist based in Los Angeles, “Clients today expect real-time data and customized advice. It’s not enough to list a home and hope—it has to be marketed strategically, priced competitively, and shown creatively.”
A Test of Adaptability
The summer of 2025 offers a proving ground for agents: those who can read evolving market signals and deliver nuanced, client-specific solutions will rise above the competition. With the return of inventory and a more deliberate buyer base, this season is less about speed and more about strategy, trust-building, and targeted engagement.
As the real estate landscape continues to stabilize post-pandemic, the agents best positioned for long-term success are those who use seasonal cycles not just to close deals—but to elevate their service and strengthen their brand.
