The Shift Is Real: 5 Signs It’s a Better Time to Buy

Is the Market Finally Shifting in Favor of Buyers?

Let’s be real—buying a home hasn’t exactly been a walk in the park the last few years.

Between bidding wars, soaring prices, and sellers calling all the shots, it’s felt like the deck has been stacked against buyers for a while now. But things are starting to shift.

We’re not in a full-on buyer’s market just yet, but there are clear signs the tide is turning—and if you’ve been thinking about starting (or restarting) your home search, this might be your window.

Here’s what I’m seeing:

1. Sellers Are Actually Willing to Work With Buyers

Remember when you practically had to offer your firstborn just to get your offer looked at? Those days are fading.

In early 2025, nearly 44% of sellers offered concessions—everything from covering closing costs to mortgage-rate buydowns and repair credits (thanks, Redfin). That’s just shy of the record, and it shows sellers know they’ve got more competition now.

If you’re writing an offer, ask for what you need. You’ve got more leverage than you’ve had in years.

2. Down Payments Are Getting More Manageable

For the first time in a while, the average down payment has dropped—by about 1% year over year.

It’s not a huge dip, but it’s the first real shift in nearly two years. More buyers are also leaning into FHA and VA loans or opting for more affordable homes that keep monthly costs reasonable. The takeaway? Homeownership is getting more accessible again, especially for first-time buyers.

3. Builders Are Dropping Prices

Looking at new construction? You might have more room to negotiate than you think.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, 37% of builders cut prices in June 2025, and over 60% offered incentives like rate buydowns and free upgrades. Builder confidence is down, and inventory is up—which means they’re way more open to working with serious buyers.

4. Inventory Is (Finally) Going Up

It’s been a long time since we could say this, but… there are actually more homes on the market.

Realtor.com reports active listings are up over 30% year over year, the highest level since 2019. That means less competition, more options, and a better chance of finding the right home without the chaos.

We’re not fully back to pre-pandemic inventory, but this is a big step in the right direction.

5. Investors Are Starting to Sell

Those cash-heavy investors who were buying up everything? They’re listing properties again—especially in price ranges that matter most to everyday buyers.

In 2024, 10.8% of all home sales were investor-owned resales—the highest rate ever recorded. That opens up opportunity for buyers who were previously getting beat out by all-cash offers.

So… Is It Time to Jump Back In?

It might be.

The market’s not perfect, but buyers finally have options—and some leverage. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, this could be a great time to re-engage, explore what’s out there, and make a smart move without all the pressure.

And if you’re wondering what this looks like in your neighborhood, shoot me a message. The right home might already be waiting.

Reach out to us here to schedule your quick consultation: https://book.bookwithshell.com/widget/bookings/intro-call-with-shell