How to Negotiate a Better Deal When Buying a Home
For several years, homebuyers often felt they had little room to negotiate. Multiple offers, bidding wars, waived contingencies, and homes selling almost immediately made getting the house the priority. Today, conditions have changed in many markets, giving buyers something they haven't had in a while: negotiating leverage . Recent data illustrates the shift. In July 2026, there were about 51% more home sellers than buyers nationally, and nearly 80% of major metropolitan areas favored buyers. Earlier this year, 46.2% of sellers provided some type of concession, such as money toward closing costs, repairs, or a mortgage rate buydown. That doesn't mean every seller will negotiate, but it does mean buyers should know what they can ask for. Start by understanding the seller's situation. A home that has been on the market for several weeks may present a different opportunity than one listed yesterday. Price reductions, an empty property, or a seller who has already purchased...