Bakersfield Real Estate Market Update: Do Sellers Outnumber Buyers Here, Too?

If you have been hearing the national headline that “sellers outnumber buyers,” you are not imagining things. A recent Redfin report estimates that, nationwide, home sellers outnumber buyers by about 37.2%.

 That statistic matters because it signals a broader shift: in many parts of the country, buyers are not competing the way they were a few years ago. When buyers have choices, they take their time, compare homes more carefully, and negotiate more confidently.

But here is the question that matters if you live in Kern County: Is Bakersfield real estate seeing the same dynamic, or is this just a national headline?

What the local MLS numbers suggest in Bakersfield

When you look at the most recent full month of data available from the local MLS, the local market shows a similar pattern.

There were 1,097 residential homes listed for sale. During that same period, 429 homes went pending and 316 homes sold, meaning 745 homes attracted a buyer and moved forward in some form.

That is important because it gives us a practical “real-life” comparison between inventory and buyer activity. When you compare 1,097 active listings to 745 homes that went pending or sold, listings outpaced buyer activity by about 47%.

In plain English, that means Bakersfield buyers had more options than the national headline suggests. It also means sellers cannot rely on momentum alone. In a more choice-heavy market, homes that are positioned correctly still sell, and homes that are not can sit longer than they should.

Why “more options” changes how Bakersfield homes sell

When buyers have fewer options, they compromise. They accept a home that is not quite right because the alternative is missing out entirely. When buyers have more options, the mindset changes. They do not feel rushed. They tour more homes. They pay closer attention to condition. They compare details. They notice what feels cared for and what feels neglected.

This is exactly why the same home can perform very differently depending on the market. A home that might have sold quickly two years ago can stall if it is priced too high, photographed poorly, or presented in a way that does not translate online.

If you are selling a home in Bakersfield, this is the moment where the fundamentals matter more. Pricing, presentation, and marketing execution carry more weight when buyers have choices.

What sellers need to know right now in Bakersfield

Pricing has to be strategic, not hopeful

In a market where buyers have choices, price becomes a filter before your home ever gets a showing.

If a home is priced above what the market supports, it often does not generate the right level of early interest. That usually leads to longer days on market, more buyer skepticism, and eventually a price adjustment that can feel more painful than it needed to be. The goal is not to “give the house away.” The goal is to price it in a way that brings the right buyers through the door early, while the listing is still new and attention is at its highest.

A Bakersfield Realtor who studies the most recent comparable sales, understands what is currently going pending, and can explain the difference between list price and actual market value helps protect you from the most common mistake sellers make in a shifting market: starting too high and chasing the market down.

Online presentation matters more than most sellers think

Buyers shop online first. That is not a cliché. It is the reality of how real estate works today.

Before a buyer ever steps inside a home, they have already formed an opinion based on the photos, the first few lines of the description, and the overall impression of care. If the home looks dark, cluttered, or tired in photos, many buyers scroll right past it. In a market with more inventory, they can do that without regret.

Strong photography, clean visuals, and a listing that highlights the home’s true strengths is not “extra.” It is often the difference between getting showings in the first week and getting overlooked.

Showing well is still one of the biggest advantages a seller can control

In Bakersfield real estate, buyers are still willing to pay for homes that feel clean, cared for, and move-in ready. They are simply more selective about it now.

That does not mean every home needs a full remodel. It means the home needs to feel like it has been maintained. The little things matter because they shape the buyer’s confidence. When a home feels well cared for, buyers worry less about hidden costs, deferred maintenance, and future surprises. When a home feels neglected, buyers start mentally subtracting, even if the home has strong fundamentals.

In a more choice-heavy market, buyers tend to reward sellers who take the time to present the home well.

What buyers should know about Bakersfield right now

If you are buying a home in Bakersfield, this type of market can work in your favor.

More inventory relative to buyer activity usually means you have more options to choose from, more time to compare, and more negotiating power than you would have in a market where buyers outnumber sellers. That does not mean every seller will accept a low offer, and it does not mean great homes will sit forever. Well-priced, well-presented homes still attract attention quickly.

But it does mean buyers can be more thoughtful. You can prioritize the features that matter most to you, avoid rushing into a home that is not a fit, and have more meaningful conversations about terms, repairs, and concessions.

A good Bakersfield Realtor helps you use that leverage wisely, without missing opportunities on the homes that are truly the best fit.

The takeaway for Bakersfield sellers and buyers

The national stat is attention-grabbing because it is a clear sign of a broader shift. Nationally, Redfin estimates sellers outnumber buyers by about 37.2%. Locally, based on MLS activity, Bakersfield appears to have an even wider gap by this practical comparison.

That does not mean the market is “bad.” It means the market is more selective. It means strategy matters. It means the best-performing homes are the ones that are priced correctly, presented well, and marketed with intention from day one.

If selling is on your radar this year, the most valuable thing you can do is get clarity early. You do not need a guess. You need a plan based on what is happening right now in your neighborhood and price range.

Buying or Selling? Get a Local Strategy

If you are thinking about buying or selling in Bakersfield or anywhere in Kern County, reach out to Laurie McCarty and The McCarty Group for a clear, local strategy.

A quick conversation can answer the questions that matter most: what your home could realistically sell for today, how much competition you have nearby, what buyers are responding to right now, and what it would take to stand out.

To request a pricing snapshot and local competition check, contact Laurie McCarty & The McCarty Group by calling or texting 661-665-SOLD.