📊 Zillow’s Latest Market Heat Index: A Mixed Bag of Buyer vs. Seller Power

📊 Zillow’s Latest Market Heat Index: A Mixed Bag of Buyer vs. Seller Power
Zillow just released its latest Market Heat Index for over 250 major U.S. housing markets, and it’s giving us some real insight into where buyers and sellers stand in 2025.

The takeaway? It depends on where you are — but the shift is real.

According to Zillow’s scale:

70+ = Strong seller’s market
55–69 = Seller’s market
44–54 = Neutral
28–43 = Buyer’s market
Below 27 = Strong buyer’s market
📌 Nationally, we’re sitting at 55, which puts the U.S. right on the line between seller and neutral territory. But that’s just the average — regional breakdowns tell a much more nuanced story.

 
🔥 The 10 Hottest Seller’s Markets (Top Scores)
Zillow rates these metros as red-hot for sellers:

Rochester, NY → 145
Buffalo, NY → 110
Syracuse, NY → 100
Charleston, WV → 99
Albany, NY → 97
Hartford, CT → 89
Lansing, MI → 85
Anchorage, AK → 83
Springfield, MA → 82
Manchester, NH → 81
 
🧊 The 10 Coldest Buyer’s Markets (Bottom Scores)
Buyers have major leverage in these metros:

Macon, GA → 23
Jackson, TN → 24
Brownsville, TX → 27
Gulfport, MS → 27
Naples, FL → 27
Longview, TX → 27
Daphne, AL → 29
Punta Gorda, FL → 29
Beaumont, TX → 30
Cape Coral, FL → 31
(Source: Zillow Market Heat Index via ResiClub)

 
📍 My Take (Joe, KW Default Solutions)
Zillow’s index is a great tool to monitor market balance, and I agree with much of their regional take, especially around the Gulf and parts of the Northeast where we’re seeing sellers maintain some control.

That said, I believe the West Coast — including parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada — is softer than Zillow’s data reflects. We're seeing significant increases in active inventory and longer days on market in those areas.

At KW Default Solutions, we specialize in helping buyers, sellers, and investors navigate these market shifts with clear, local expertise — especially in distressed and REO situations. If you're a buyer looking for leverage or a seller needing to price right in this changing landscape, now’s the time to be smart, strategic, and well-advised.

 
✅ Final Thoughts
Zillow’s national score may say "balanced," but real estate is always local — and some markets are leaning much harder toward buyers than sellers. Understanding where your market sits — and what that means for pricing, negotiations, and timing — is essential.

📲 Need help figuring out what this means for your neighborhood or your investment strategy?

Call or text me at 888-870-0443
Or visit KW Default Solutions for expert support across the country.

Let’s make sure you're making the right move — in today's market.