In April 2025, a whopping 25 percent of listings on Zillow were given a price cut. This percentage marks a record-high since the company started collecting data in 2018. Lindsey Harn, a residential real estate agent and owner of Lindsey Harn Group in San Luis Obispo, California, has weighed in on the market right now and the strategy behind lowering a home’s price.
“April was a slower start to the spring market than we typically see,” she says. “We saw a lot of buyers who had been shopping move to the sidelines with a ‘wait and see’ mindset to see what was going to happen.”
Harn cites the stock market drop and interest rates staying high as the main reasons why potential buyers have backed off. The result? Sellers need to make a move if they’re motivated to sell their home, and the typical next step is decreasing the price.
“The market is affected by supply and demand,” Harn says. “Some folks thought the market would pick up in April, so prices appreciated and increased, when in reality, homes that were priced fairly or slightly under fair market value performed best.”
There are multiple factors at play here, including how many buyers are in the market and the number of active listings available. Because of these variables, it could be challenging to know if you’ve priced your own home correctly—or when to know it’s time to lower the price.
Harn says to make a change if you’re noticing very few showings, inquiries, and calls. You can also get a good idea when you have a showing, and should reflect on any feedback from potential buyers visiting your home.
With the market currently in the buyer’s favor, Harn has one piece of advice for anyone looking to purchase a home: Don’t be afraid to make an offer. “When fewer buyers are shopping you have a prime advantage to negotiate a better deal,” she says.