As always, however, much depends on what kind of house you are seeking and where you are shopping.

A year ago, many housing markets were in a “frenzy,” with multiple buyers competing for properties, said Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Realtors association. But the inventory of homes for sale has notched upward this spring, tilting the balance of power away from sellers, especially for higher-priced homes.

“The upper end of the market is very soft,” Mr. Yun said, and buyers of those properties have better advantage over sellers. Sales of homes over $750,000, in particular, are probably affected by changes in federal tax laws that limit deductions for state and local taxes, making buyers wary of pricey homes with high property taxes, Mr. Yun said.

But buyers looking for lower-priced starter homes — those at $200,000 or below — might find that things have not changed much in some markets, said Danielle Hale, chief economist at the home listing site Realtor.com. The inventory of homes in lower price ranges has fallen by about 8 percent from last year, based on the site’s listings.

Builders have found profits challenging at lower price points because of rising prices for land and lumber and the need to pay higher wages in a labor market that is short on skilled workers, Mr. Yun said. At the same time, more older people are staying in their homes longer, contributing to a squeeze in affordable properties for entry-level or trade-up buyers to consider.

In Rochester, for example, where the average list price of a house is $212,000, supply remains tight and multiple offers are still the norm, said Chip Murphy, regional vice president with Hunt Real Estate. Downtown revitalization has attracted new restaurants and shops, and medical employment is strong in the area, which boasts numerous colleges and universities.