Something’s shifting in the housing market and if you’re a real estate agent in Treasure Valley or anywhere in Idaho, you’ve probably felt it already.

Listings that used to fly off the market in days are now collecting dust. Buyers are hesitant, sellers are stubborn, and the “easy” market of the past few years? That era’s gone.

But here’s the thing: this shift isn’t just about real estate it’s about how agents are navigating a market they can’t control but are expected to master.

Let’s break it down in plain English:

• Why homes are sitting longer
• What top agents are doing differently
• And how to take back control of the conversation with your clients

Whether you're a seasoned agent, just getting licensed, or moving to Idaho and curious about how the local market is really behaving this is for you.

📉 The Numbers Don’t Lie: The Market Has Slowed Down

Across the country and yes, right here in Treasure Valley homes are taking longer to sell.

• Median days on market just hit 53 days, up from 48 days the previous month.
• In 39 of the 50 largest metros, listing activity is slowing down.
• Delistings surged nearly 50%, as sellers dig in their heels and refuse to reduce prices.

It’s not just a seasonal lull. We’re seeing a pattern of resistance and reaction resistance from sellers who expect 2021 prices, and reaction from buyers who are either priced out or waiting for the market to “drop.”

This creates a frustrating middle ground where listings linger, communication breaks down, and guess who gets the blame?

Agents.

🧠 Why This Market Feels So Different

In a hot market, homes sell themselves. An open house becomes a bidding war, and price reductions are rare.

But today’s market?
It’s nuanced. Slower. It demands skill, not speed.

Here’s what’s changed:

• Buyer behavior has shifted higher rates mean they have more caution, and more leverage.
• Seller expectations haven’t caught up many are still hoping for last year’s prices.
• Inventory is growing slowly, but not fast enough to push prices down aggressively so we’re in this awkward in-between.

This is what’s tripping most agents up. They’re using the same playbook they used in 2021... and wondering why it’s not working.

🔥 The Harsh Truth: Most Agents Aren’t Trained for This

Let’s be real: most real estate training doesn’t prepare you for a market like this.

You learned how to write contracts, host showings, and maybe throw together a social media post but did anyone teach you how to:

• Manage sellers who are in denial?
• Get listings moving again without a price drop?
• Communicate in a way that builds trust and reduces panic?

Probably not.

That’s why agents are burning out. Not because the market is crashing but because they weren’t taught how to operate in anything other than a seller’s market.

But here’s the good news: there is a strategy for this market. And the top agents? They’re already using it.

✅ What Top Agents Are Doing Differently Right Now

Let’s pull back the curtain.

Here’s what high-performing agents are doing in today’s market and what you can start doing too:

1. Doubling Down on Outbound Calls

Speed to lead still wins. If you're not calling back within minutes or proactively reaching out you’re leaving deals on the table.

2. Setting Seller Expectations Early

If you don’t set the tone, the market will do it for you. Be upfront about realistic timelines, pricing strategies, and what marketing will (and won’t) accomplish.

3. Re-Listing with Purpose

Stale listings need a second wind. That might mean new photos, refreshed staging, or even repositioning with a virtual open house or targeted campaign.

4. Working the Buyer List Hard

Buyers are sitting on the sidelines but they’re watching. Your job is to match them with the right opportunity and frame it around their leverage.

5. Owning the Communication Loop

The biggest killer of trust? Silence. Regular updates with your clients whether there’s good news or not go a long way in managing expectations and keeping deals alive.

💬 Sellers Are Nervous. You Don’t Have to Be.

Right now, many sellers are wondering:

“Why isn’t my home selling?”
“Should I reduce my price?”
“Is my agent even doing anything?”

That puts a lot of pressure on you.

But when you approach the market with a strategy not just hope and hustle you shift from being a messenger of bad news to a trusted advisor with answers.

Remember: you’re not just selling homes. You’re guiding people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives in a time when they’re more uncertain than ever.

And that requires more than marketing. It requires leadership.

🧰 Want to Win in This Market? You Need a System.

Here at Real Estate Growth Network, we train agents to succeed in any market but especially the hard ones.

Because when things slow down, most agents fade out.
But the smart ones? They double down on their systems, sharpen their skills, and come out on top.

If you’re struggling to shift with the market, or you’re not sure what to say to your sellers, we’ve got you.

DM “SHIFT” to @RealEstateGrowthNetwork and get a free sales system audit.
We’ll walk you through what’s working, what’s not, and how to build a process that keeps your listings moving even when the market doesn’t.

Final Thought: The Market Has Changed. Have You?

You don’t control interest rates, buyer behavior, or national inventory.

But you do control how you show up in this market.

The agents who adapt will win. The ones who wait it out? They’re going to get left behind.

So take the lead. Build the skillset. And become the agent your clients trust no matter what the market looks like.