S
yracuse’s housing market, which has been seller‑heavy for most of the past five years, is showing early signs of a shift toward buyer advantage. Real‑estate veteran Dave Manzano, president of the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors, notes that the current seller‑dominated stretch is the longest he’s seen in his 37‑year career. He predicts a more balanced market by 2026, with conditions better than those of 2024 and 2025.
For buyers, the last few years brought bidding wars, cash offers, and inspections waived as sellers routinely closed above asking prices. Even high‑condition homes still faced stiff competition, but recent data suggest the tide is turning.
New listings have risen for seven consecutive months, with increases ranging from 4.2% in October to 19% in April. Inventory, measured in months of supply, reached 2.7 months in October—up 35% from a year earlier—and has grown every month since November 2024. A larger inventory means less rivalry among buyers and a smoother shopping experience.
Home prices continue to climb, yet the pressure appears to ease. Median sale prices have outpaced last year’s figures every month from November 2024 through October 2025, and the average percentage above list price has dropped for eight straight months as of October. Although prices remain high relative to historical norms, the narrowing premium signals a gradual easing for buyers.
Despite these improvements, inventory and new listings still lag far behind pre‑COVID levels. Manzano remains optimistic, stating that the further the market moves away from the post‑pandemic peak, the more favorable it will become for buyers.
Featured homes this week include a 1931 Fayetteville Colonial, a converted Oswego County ranch turned energy‑efficient compound, and a renovated Fayetteville Greek Revival that blends historic charm with modern upgrades.
National real‑estate analysts rank Central New York’s largest city among the markets most likely to heat up in 2026. Additionally, seven towns in the region have seen home‑price gains exceeding $37,000.
Kevin Tampone, Syracuse.com’s data journalist, continues to cover real‑estate trends, crime, the economy, and education, turning public data into stories, charts, and tables for the local audience.
