Buyer Power Slowly Returns as Regional Price Growth Cools

Why the market is feeling more buyer-friendly

The most important change for buyers isn’t a nationwide “crash.” It’s that the market is gradually rebalancing: more homes are available relative to a year ago, and listings are sitting longer in many areas. When that happens, sellers compete harder for the marginal buyer, often through price cuts or concessions.

Even in markets where headline prices are flat, a rise in negotiability can materially change the deal a buyer can get—think repair credits, closing-cost assistance, or a rate buydown rather than a big sticker-price drop.

Where cooling is most visible: West and Southwest Florida pockets

Cooling is easiest to spot in regions that saw the sharpest run-ups and where new listings have improved. A metro-level example comes from Southwest Florida, where ResiClub highlights sizable peak-to-current declines since July 2022, including Punta Gorda (-25.3%) and North Port (-17.4%). Those magnitudes tend to reset seller expectations and widen the range of acceptable offers. [resiclubanalytics.com]

A second pattern is emerging across parts of the West, where multiple metros are showing year-over-year softness in home values and more frequent price reductions—helpful conditions for buyers who struggled to compete during the 2020–2022 period. [gobankingrates.com]

Why some regions still see gains

Not every market is loosening. In supply-constrained areas, prices can still climb even as other regions cool. Connecticut provides a good illustration of how local the story can be: CT Insider’s ZIP-code analysis shows stronger growth in some areas (including Hartford’s 06103) alongside weaker pockets elsewhere. [ctinsider.com]

The takeaway: national narratives are useful for context, but your leverage is usually determined at the neighborhood level—how many comparable listings exist, how quickly they go pending, and whether sellers are cutting prices.

How buyers can use leverage without overreaching

If you’re shopping in a cooling market, “buyer leverage” is best used to reduce risk and improve terms:

• Anchor offers to closed comps, not aspirational list prices
• Ask for inspection-related repairs or credits (especially on longer-sitting listings)
• Consider seller-paid closing costs or a temporary rate buydown if available
• Track price-cut frequency and days on market weekly for your target ZIP codes

Leverage doesn’t guarantee a bargain—especially with mortgage rates still elevated compared with the 2020–2021 era—but it can improve the total cost of the deal when sellers have more competition.