The housing market was anything but normal in 2021. Prior to the buying frenzy that has occurred over the past year, homes typically remained on the market for just over two months at a time. And in terms of cost, it was common for lucky sellers with homes in desirable markets like California’s Bay Area to get at or near the asking price. Sellers in less competitive markets, on the other hand, generally needed to be more flexible about the sale price of their homes.

Everything changed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and mortgage rates hit new lows. A rapid increase in demand for homes set in and home buying quickly became a competitive sport. Buyers who wanted to increase their chances of having their offer accepted by sellers were forced to do everything from offering short closing times, forgoing inspections or paying tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars asking the price.

This phenomenon was not limited to housing markets in major metropolitan areas either. Secondary and suburban markets that were once considered less attractive than areas like New York or Los Angeles have become just as competitive for buyers. And by the time the final months of 2021 rolled around, the housing market across the country had seen dramatic and widespread changes.

But how exactly has the housing market changed over the past year? And how have these changes affected the millions of buyers, sellers, renters and investors across the country? Real estate platform ZeroDown has compiled a list of 10 ways the housing market has changed in 2021 using insights from housing articles, housing market reports, and real estate experts.

Here’s what you need to know about changes to the housing market in 2021.