In real estate, what defines a "buyer’s market"?

A "buyer’s market" is characterized by a surplus of homes available for sale compared to the number of buyers actively looking to purchase. This imbalance creates a situation where buyers have more options, and sellers may need to lower prices or negotiate better terms to attract interest in their properties.

In a buyer's market, the dynamics favor the buyer. They can take their time, compare various properties, and often negotiate more favorable conditions since competition is generally lower. This contrasts with a seller's market, where fewer homes are available than there are buyers, leading to increased prices and competitive bidding.

The other options do not accurately represent a buyer's market. Rising prices indicate demand that exceeds supply, which describes a seller's market rather than a buyer's. Bidding wars also signal a competitive market scenario where multiple buyers vie for the same property, again aligning more closely with a seller's market. Finally, while investors can be active in buying properties, their dominance alone does not define market conditions; it is the relationship between supply and demand that determines whether it is a buyer's or seller's market.