Where The Buyers Are

If you were considering selling your home, wouldn’t you like to know which price brackets have the most buyers?  If you were buying, wouldn’t you want to know which price ranges had the most supply for you to choose from?

I heard a report this week where Redfin estimated that currently in the United States there were 500,000 MORE sellers than buyers.  This prompted me to ask the question:  “Where are the buyers in my market?”

Below shows the supply and demand numbers by price bracket. Because Knox and Blount counties tend to have higher demand, I have made two separate charts: one for them and one for the rest of the MLS, which I refer to as the “Periphery.”

📈 Chart 1 – Knox & Blount Counties

📈 Chart 2 – Knoxville MSA Periphery

🔍 Key Takeaways

1. Supply Significantly Outpaces Demand in the Periphery

In the Knoxville MSA Periphery, supply dramatically exceeds demand in every price bracket, especially from $400K to $700K.

Example: In the $400K–$500K range, supply is 689, while demand is only 212 — a 3.25:1 ratio.

This oversupply suggests that homes in peripheral counties are sitting longer, particularly in mid-to-upper price ranges.

2. Knox/Blount Have a More Balanced Market Below $600K

In Knox and Blount Counties, the $300K–$600K range shows a more proportionate relationship between supply and demand.

Example: In the $300K–$350K range, supply is 260 vs. demand of 209 — closer to a 1.24:1 ratio.

This balance indicates stronger buyer activity and absorption at these price points within the core counties.

3. Demand Drops Sharply Over $600K Across the Entire MSA

Both charts show a steep decline in demand above $600K, despite supply remaining high.

Example (Knox/Blount): $700K–$800K has 123 listings but only 50 in demand.

Example (Periphery): $600K–$700K has 418 supply, but just 80 in demand.

This implies an oversaturated high-end market, with too many listings and not enough buyers.

4. Core Market (Knox/Blount) Is Outperforming the Periphery in Buyer Activity

Across nearly every price range, demand is higher in Knox/Blount than in the MSA periphery, despite the periphery having far more inventory.

Suggests that buyers prioritize central locations, likely due to amenities, commute times, or school districts.

📌 Conclusion: Strategy Implications

• For sellers in the periphery, pricing aggressively and offering incentives will likely be necessary to attract buyers.

• For buyers in Knox/Blount Counties, competition is stronger in the $300K–$600K range — expect faster sales and fewer concessions.

• Luxury homes ($700K+) should adjust expectations across the board — the market is soft, and pricing strategy is critical.