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That House That’s Been Sitting Could Be Your Best Shot at a Deal
Open up a home search and you’ll see them. Listings that have been on the market for two months. Three. Some longer.
Most buyers scroll right past them, assuming something’s wrong with the house. But that instinct could be costing you, since the longer a home sits, the more motivated the seller usually gets.
Where Some Buyers Are Finding Better Deals
If affordability has been your #1 hurdle to buying, here’s a surprisingly simple strategy that could help you finally get your foot in the door. Start with the homes that have been sitting the longest. That’s often where the best deals are.
Here’s why. Data from Realtor.com shows there’s a connection between longer time on the market and lower sales prices. Basically, the longer a house sits, the more likely it is that the seller will reduce the price (see graph below):
The blue line tracks how long homes stay on the market, while the green line tracks the share of homes getting a price reduction. As one climbs, so does the other.
And if you focus on these homes that are just sitting and waiting, the opportunity for you is bigger than you may think right now.
Redfin data shows there’s $347 billion worth of stale listings on the market right now – more than ever before for this time of year. So, ask your agent to filter listings for you from oldest to newest. The home that fits your budget might already be there. Just further down the list than you thought.
Lingering Doesn’t Always Mean Something’s Wrong
Let’s say you do that and something catches your eye. Still, you might be questioning why the home has been sitting in the first place. Just remember, sometimes it has nothing to do with the home itself.
According to Redfin, common causes are:
- The asking price was set too high to start
- The home didn’t show well online
- There are a lot of homes for sale in the area, so it just got buried
So, nothing that’s necessarily a dealbreaker, or even anything that’s wrong with the home itself. If there’s a real issue, a thorough inspection will surface it. And that’s information you can use to negotiate. Not a reason to assume it’s a house worth skipping over.
How To Turn a Lingering Listing into a Win
So how do you capitalize on a lingering listing? According to USA Today, you have two main levers to pull.
The first is price. Work with your agent to study what comparable homes recently sold for, then build an offer around that. Coming in below asking price is fair game when a home has been sitting.
The second is concessions. If a seller won’t budge much on price, they may still help in other ways, like covering some closing costs, repair credits, or even a mortgage rate buydown that lowers your monthly payment.
A local agent has the context to tell which homes are the real opportunities and which are skippable.
Bottom Line
A house sitting on the market isn’t always a glaring red flag. In today’s market, it may be your best opportunity yet.
For help deciding which lingering listings are actually worth a second look, let’s connect.
The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now
You’ve probably heard that home prices are cooling off. And that’s true – nationally. But zoom in on individual markets across the country, and the picture looks completely different depending on where you are.
Some areas are still seeing solid price growth. Others have gone flat. A few have actually dipped slightly negative. So, what’s causing all of that variation?
It All Comes Down to Inventory
Here’s the simple version:
- When there are more homes for sale, buyers have options.
- More options, means less competition.
- Less competition means sellers can’t push prices as high.
On the flip side, when inventory is tight, buyers are competing over a small pool of homes, and that pushes prices up.
That dynamic is playing out right now in a really visible way across the country.
Markets where inventory has climbed back to, or above, normal pre-pandemic levels are seeing prices flatten or fall slightly. Markets where inventory is still well below those 2019 benchmarks are still seeing prices rise. As Lance Lambert, CEO of ResiClub, puts it:
“Home prices are still climbing a little year-over-year in many regions where active inventory remains well below pre-pandemic 2019 levels, such as pockets of the Northeast and Midwest.
In contrast, some pockets in states like Texas, Florida, and Colorado — where active inventory exceeds pre-pandemic 2019 levels by a solid clip — are seeing modest home price pullbacks or flat pricing.”
The Maps Say It All
Take a look at where inventory stands today compared to 2019. In most places (the states in gray below), inventory still falls short of where we were back then. And that’s exactly why prices are climbing, albeit moderately, in the vast majority of states.
But you’re probably more interested in where prices are falling a bit, since that’s what is making headlines. So, let’s prove out how much inventory affects prices in those spots.
According to Realtor.com, 15 states and Washington, D.C. are now back above pre-pandemic inventory levels, and some by a wide margin (see the orange in the map below):
Now, let’s look at the latest Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) data to see what’s happened to home prices in those same states over the past year (again, you’ll want to focus on the orange in the next map).
See how those line up pretty closely with the areas seeing more homes for sale today?
The overlap isn’t a coincidence. It’s cause and effect.
The national average of 1.7% price growth is accurate, but it’s an average of two very different stories happening at the same time – the few areas experiencing mild declines and the overwhelming majority that are still seeing prices rise.
What This Means If You’re Buying or Selling
If you’re a buyer, the market you’re shopping in matters a lot right now. In places like Texas, Colorado, or Florida, you may have real negotiating power – more choices, less competition, and sellers who are more motivated to make a deal. In tighter markets like much of the Northeast, you’re still likely facing a lot of competition.
If you’re a seller, pricing strategy is everything. In markets where inventory has risen, overpricing is one of the fastest ways to linger on the market and eventually sell for less than you would have with the right price from day one. In markets where inventory is still low, you’re in a strong spot, but getting your price right still matters if you want to attract serious buyers quickly. Either way, that’s where a local real estate agent earns their keep.
Bottom Line
When it comes to prices, where you are matters more than ever right now, and a local real estate agent is the best person to help you make sense of it.
Reach out today and let’s build a plan that fits our market.
Think Home Prices Will Crash? Here’s What the Experts Actually Expect.
One of the biggest reasons buyers are still sitting on the sidelines is because they think home prices are going to come down.
- Some believe a crash is coming and they’ll get a better deal if they hold off.
- Others worry they’ll buy now and watch their home’s value fall later.
And nobody wants to overpay or buy right before values drop. But here’s the question worth asking:
What if the crash you’re waiting for isn’t actually coming?
Because that’s what the latest data suggests.
Experts Are Not Calling for a Crash
If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve seen posts claiming home prices are about to come crashing down. And it’s true that some markets are seeing small price declines right now.
But that’s not the same thing as a nationwide crash.
While some places are going through a price adjustment, Realtor.com data shows home prices are still rising in 71% of housing markets across the country.
The trouble is, since negative news sells, you’re seeing more coverage about how a handful of markets are seeing declines, than how the majority are still seeing prices rise. And that’s unfortunate.
It’s exactly why a lot of buyers end up with the impression that prices are falling everywhere when they’re not. So how do you really know where prices are really headed from here?
That’s where the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae comes in.
Home Prices Will Rise for the Next 5 Years
Every quarter, more than 100 economists, housing experts, and market analysts are asked where they think home prices are headed based on the latest data available.
And despite all the uncertainty in today’s market, there’s one thing they largely agreed on:
They don’t think a crash is coming.
In fact, the average of all of their forecasts calls for home prices to rise every year for at least the next 5 years (see graph below):
The point is that the overwhelming expectation isn’t for prices to fall. It’s for prices to rise at a more normal pace. And just in case you’re looking at the forecasts and saying: “of course they’d say that” – know that this survey doesn’t just include optimists. It includes pessimists too.
Even the Pessimists Aren’t Predicting a Crash
Researchers broke the panel into groups based on how bullish or bearish they were about housing. The result? Even the most pessimistic group still expects home prices to climb over the next five years.
Optimists think we’ll see prices go up roughly 4% a year. Pessimists say it’ll be closer to 1%. The reality may be somewhere in the middle.
Think about that for a second. The debate among experts isn’t whether prices will crash. It’s how much they’ll rise.
That’s a very different conversation than the one happening across social media.
This Means Waiting Could Actually Cost You
So, if you’re putting off your move until prices come down, you may be disappointed. According to the experts, a widespread crash isn’t in the cards.
In fact, based on the HPES forecast, a buyer who purchased a $400,000 home this January would gain nearly $40,000 in equity over the next five years from appreciation alone, even in this more moderate market (see below):
Of course, this all depends on local market conditions. This forecast is a national average. But broadly speaking, if the experts are right, the bigger risk isn’t that prices will crash. It may be waiting for a crash that never comes.
Because depending on your market, if you wait, you could be missing out on $40k in equity or paying 40k more in 5 years for the same house.
Bottom Line
A lot of buyers are waiting because they think prices will fall, but that’s not what the experts are saying.
If you’re trying to decide whether waiting still makes sense, let’s connect. That way you understand what’s happening in our local market and what it could mean for your plans.
Should You Pay for Your Buyer’s Closing Costs? What Sellers Need To Know.
A few years ago, sellers could get away with saying “no” to just about everything.
No repairs.
No concessions.
No negotiation.
If buyers wanted the house, they pretty much had to take it on the seller’s terms. But now that inventory’s grown, negotiations are becoming a normal part of the process again.
That’s why one of the most important things sellers need to understand right now is this:
The goal isn’t to “win” every negotiation.
Sometimes, it’s worth meeting buyers where they are to get a deal done, fast. One example? Helping with a buyer’s closing costs.
Let’s break that down, so you know what to expect if it comes up in your sale.
What Are Buyer Closing Costs?
Closing costs are the extra expenses buyers pay on top of their down payment when they purchase a home. Freddie Mac gives some examples:
- Loan origination fees
- Appraisal and inspection costs
- Title and attorney fees
- Survey fees and more
Typically, buyer closing costs range from about 2% to 5% of the home’s purchase price. So, on the typical $400,000 home, that could mean anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 out of pocket.
And in today’s affordability-challenged market, that upfront cash can be a major hurdle for some buyers – even if they can comfortably afford the monthly mortgage payment itself.
That’s why more people are asking sellers for help.
And More Sellers Are Saying “Yes”
According to the latest data from Zillow, 67% of sellers reported paying some or all of the buyer’s closing costs in 2025 (see chart below):
Now, that doesn’t mean every seller is doing it. And it definitely doesn’t mean every seller should. But it does show how common concessions have become as the market has shifted. And that’s important for you to know.
When Paying Closing Costs May Make Sense
This is where many sellers get stuck. They hear “help with closing costs” and immediately think: “Why should I pay for their expenses?”
But that’s not always the right way to look at it. You’ve got to consider who has the leverage in today’s market.
Redfin data shows there are more sellers than buyers active today. And that shifts the market dynamics (see graph below):
That doesn’t mean every market favors buyers. Far from it. In some areas, homes are still selling quickly and sellers have plenty of leverage. But in others, buyers have more room to negotiate than they’ve had in years.
That’s why local market conditions matter so much when you make your decision.
For example, helping with closing costs may be worth considering if:
- There are a lot of homes for sale in your area
- Your house has been sitting on the market longer than expected
- You’ve had showings, but no offers
- You’re motivated to move quickly
- Or you’re trying to keep a deal together during negotiations
After all, if it’s the thing that helps bring a serious buyer across the finish line, it could be well worth it.
Other Concessions You Could Offer Instead
Just remember, being flexible doesn’t mean saying “yes” to every request. It means understanding which compromises actually help you accomplish your goals. Because there are always alternatives.
Redfin suggests considering other concessions if you’re not interested in helping with closing costs, like:
- A home warranty
- Repair credits
- Flexible closing dates, or
- Leave behind appliances or furniture
The right answer depends on what buyers in your market are asking for and what matters most to you. That’s exactly why working with an experienced local agent is so important.
Bottom Line
The sellers having the most success today are the ones who understand the market has changed and are adapting to meet it where it is.
Sometimes that means negotiating on closing costs. Sometimes it means offering something else. The key is knowing which concessions are worth it for our local market.
If you’re wondering what’s normal in our area, what’s worth negotiating, and where it makes sense to stand firm, let’s connect.
Lower Asking Prices Are a Win for Today’s Buyers
If affordability has been the biggest thing standing between you and a home, there’s a little good news.
Asking prices have started to come down.
The typical seller listed their house for a median of $429,500 in May. That’s 2.4% lower than a year ago, according to Realtor.com. On its own, that won’t transform what you can afford, but in today’s market every little bit helps and it signals a broader shift taking place.
Buyers Are Finally Catching a Break
Check out this data from Realtor.com and you can see this is the first May in years where buyers have caught any sort of break price-wise.
Each May from 2022-2025, things held pretty steady. But this year? You can see that more noticeable shift in your favor (see graph below):
While the dip from $440,000 to $429,500 isn’t a big one, it gives you more breathing room. And that’s not a small thing when affordability has been this tough.
Now, lower asking prices don’t mean every home is suddenly within your range. But they do show buyers are gaining a little ground.
And in today’s market, a little ground can go a long way.
What That Means for the Housing Market
And just in case this crossed your mind, this is good news for your move, not bad news for the market as a whole.
The subtle dip from last May to this one shows prices are easing, but they’re not dropping off a cliff. What this is actually a sign of is that the market’s rebalancing now that the number of homes for sale has grown.
Buyers have a bit more power again, and sellers know they can’t name just any price and expect their house to sell. They either meet the market where it is, or face a price cut later. And in general, sellers would rather avoid a price cut. As the New
York Post explains:
“Rather than swinging for the fences with pandemic-era price tags, sellers are increasingly coming to terms with a new reality. The share of listings featuring price cuts actually fell to 17.5% in May, suggesting homeowners are doing their homework before putting up a “For Sale” sign instead of chasing unrealistic numbers and cutting later.”
This signals a broader change in the market.
Seller expectations have been skewed a little high since the pandemic buying frenzy – you’ve probably felt that firsthand. But now, things are starting to normalize. It could mean less back-and-forth to land on a fair number. And homes should be priced a bit more realistically from the start.
Bottom Line
If affordability has been your top concern, the recent dip in prices is an opening. Want to see what that looks like in our area? Let’s connect.
June Eastside Stats
June 2026 Eastside Market Update
TL;DR: Prices are down and trending lower. The market is balanced but feels different than it did a year ago. Well-priced homes are still moving — but buyers know they have options.
May data is in, and I’m going to be straight with you: prices are down. The median sold price on the Eastside came in at $1.51M — down 6% from April and down 8% year over year. That’s the second consecutive year of year-over-year declines.
And when you zoom out, the picture is genuinely erratic — May’s number is higher than May 2023, but lower than 2022, 2024, and 2025. There’s no clean story here, which is exactly why I’d caution against anchoring to any single data point. What I can say is that the overall direction is downward, and I think it’s worth saying that plainly.
That said, the market isn’t frozen. Nearly 80% of homes sold within 30 days, and 41% sold at or above list price — essentially flat from last month’s 44%. At 2.9 months of inventory, we are in a balanced market, but we are in uncharted recent territory.
Last year at this time we were at 2.1 months — also technically balanced — and this doesn’t feel the same. That extra inventory is real, buyers know it, and they’re acting accordingly.
So what does this mean?
Sellers: This is not a “let’s just try it” market. With inventory at decade-high levels and prices trending down, aspirational pricing isn’t a strategy — it’s a liability. Price based on what’s pending and what’s actively competing with you right now, not what closed a few months ago. First impressions are everything, and you don’t get a second one.
Buyers: If the monthly payment works and you plan to stay five or more years, this is genuinely a good time to buy. More inventory, more negotiating room, and prices that are lower than they were a year ago. If the time is right for you, have the courage to jump in!
