# Buying in Today's Market: A Buyer's Advantage By Matt Tedesco (@matttedesco) ยท Published 2026-09-28 Canonical: https://voce.com/@matttedesco/today-buying-market-buyer-advantage-sz0p8d --- If you have been waiting on the sidelines for the housing market to settle before you buy, you could be missing a strong window to gain an edge as a home buyer. A market with fewer competing buyers, more homes to choose from, and sellers who are ready to talk can put you in a stronger position. Here is how to step in confidently and make that work in your favor, step by step. Home sellers gave concessions to buyers in **44.7%** of U.S. home sales in August 2026, up from 42.6% a year earlier and a notable share for that month since at least 2020, according to [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/news/home-seller-concessions-august-2026). A concession can cover closing costs, money toward repairs, or other incentives to win your offer. August also marked a strong buyers' market relative to trends dating back to 2013, a position that can open the door to more negotiating room. That advantage can compound. Roughly **15%** of buyers are getting a double win, a seller concession plus a price cut, per [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/news/home-seller-concessions-august-2026). When demand is lighter, sellers are more willing to reduce an asking price to stay competitive and to sweeten the deal for the buyers who are actively looking. The opportunity is to act while buyer demand is lower, giving you more choices and more negotiating room. Nationally, pending home sales dipped roughly 1% year over year in August 2026, a sign that fewer buyers are competing for each home, according to [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/blog/travis-county-tx-housing-market-august-2026). With sellers outnumbering buyers by nearly 6 to 10 in Redfin's measure, the window to negotiate is wider than it has been in recent years. Let us walk through how to put that advantage to work, step by step. **Pro Tip** Gather a few essentials before you start: a clear sense of the price range you are comfortable with, a current look at your credit picture, a pre-approval conversation with a lender, and a shortlist of neighborhoods that fit your lifestyle. Having these ready helps you move with confidence when the right home appears. ## Step 1: Identify sellers who are ready to deal In a market with more homes for sale, you can often tell which sellers are flexible. A listing that has been on the market a while, a price that has been adjusted, or a builder offering extras can all point to room to negotiate. In the Sun Belt markets Redfin tracks, about 7 in 10 homebuyers received a concession in August, with Atlanta leading at nearly three-quarters of sales according to [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/news/home-seller-concessions-august-2026). Ask your agent which listings have room to move and what a seller has already shown they might accept. **Success check:** you can name two or three listings in your range where the seller appears open to negotiation. ## Step 2: Use your due-diligence period fully The inspection and due-diligence window is your chance to confirm the home matches what you expect before you commit. Set aside time for a thorough home inspection, review the seller disclosures, and ask follow-up questions about anything you find. With more homes available, you have more freedom to walk away from a property that is not the right fit, so use that time to feel certain about your choice. **Success check:** the inspection report is complete, your questions are answered, and you understand what the home may need. ## Step 3: Negotiate for help with closing costs Because seller concessions are common right now, asking for help with your closing costs can be a normal part of the offer rather than an unusual request. A concession may cover part of your closing costs or contribute toward needed repairs, which can lower the total cost of buying. Roughly **15%** of buyers this August received a seller concession on top of a price cut, per [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/news/home-seller-concessions-august-2026), so a request that combines both is reasonable to try. **Success check:** you and your agent agree on the concession you plan to ask for and the point where you would walk away. ## A closing thought on your buyer's advantage This is what a buyer's advantage feels like: more homes to choose from, sellers who are prepared to talk, and a plan that puts those conditions behind you. I have seen buyers make steady progress in this kind of market by staying clear about their target, moving through their checks, and letting the current conditions do some of the work. My advice is to treat the extra inventory and seller flexibility as a genuine opportunity rather than a wait-and-see situation. If you would like to talk through your plan, I would be glad to help you get started. **Matt Tedesco** Market Manager, Northpointe Bank NMLS 848605 All loans are subject to credit review and approval. This is not a commitment to lend. Other terms and conditions may apply. ## How to know you're on the right track You are on the right track when each of the three steps above has a visible result you and your agent can point to. Work through the list below, and when every box is checked, you have the full picture you need to move with confidence. If you are missing a piece, that tells you exactly where to focus next. #### Key Takeaways - You're on track when Step 1 result: you can name two or three listings in your range where the seller appears open to negotiation. If no listing has room to move, widen your search or revisit the ones you found. - You're on track when Step 2 result: the inspection report is complete, your questions are answered, and you understand what the home may need. If anything is unclear, go back to the seller disclosures before you commit. - You're on track when Step 3 result: you and your agent agree on the concession you plan to ask for and the point where you would walk away. If you are not aligned yet, settle that conversation before you make the offer. ## Your next move You now have the full picture of what a buyer's advantage looks like: more inventory, less competition, and sellers who are ready to talk. Here is the step-by-step action list that can turn that window into a home you are glad you bought, all in one place. - **Gather your essentials:** settle on the price range you are comfortable with, check your credit picture, and have a pre-approval conversation with a lender before you start looking. - **Identify flexible sellers:** with your agent, spot listings that have been on the market a while, had a price adjustment, or come from a builder offering extras, then target the ones with room to negotiate. - **Use your due-diligence period fully:** schedule a thorough home inspection, review the seller disclosures, and ask follow-up questions so you can walk away confidently if a home is not the right fit. - **Negotiate for help with closing costs:** ask your agent to put together a concession request, and agree together on the point where you would walk away. When you finish these steps, you can move toward an offer with the confidence that comes from having done the work. Should you want to talk through where your plan stands, I would be glad to walk through it with you.