~4M homes transacted in 2025. Price levels will decline over time, it's just who has to sell first. Life/forced sales (divorce, death, relo, downsize for costs, etc) are up first vs irrational sellers pining for historical price levels. Foreclosures are rising (especially in Florida, taxes and insurance going up), but not materially imho (yet? tbd based on how the economy holds up, all real estate is local).
Of course there are always people who need to sell for whatever reason. There are a large number of people not in the market who otherwise would be, but that doesn't mean nobody is in the market.
That is one reason. Others are they got a job in a different city. Their health declined and so they can't live at home. They got married and don't need two houses. If you cannot think of a half a dozen others in the next 10 minutes either you didn't try or your need to practice creative thinking.
The reasons are not important for this discussion though - all we need to know is some people have other pressures such that the one I listed isn't compelling to them.
Delistings Jump 28% as Sellers Pull Homes Off Market Rather Than Settle For Low Prices - https://www.redfin.com/news/delistings-jump-sellers-pull-hom... - November 25th, 2025
Foreclosures Rise for 8th Straight Month—These States Have the Worst Rates - https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/foreclosure-increase-att... - November 14th, 2025
Pending Home Sales Slip As Would-Be Buyers Wait For Lower Rates and Economic Clarity - https://www.redfin.com/news/housing-market-update-pending-sa... - November 13th, 2025
(real estate market participant)