Negotiation Beats Bidding May 2025 data shows homes are selling for 98.7% of list, signaling fewer bidding wars and more room to negotiate. That 1.3% gap equals a $6,500 discount on a $500,000 home, but asking the seller to cover a two-one interest-rate buydown cuts first-year payments by roughly $7,200\. Offer full price and request a credit equal to two points instead of chasing a small discount. Sellers like seeing the full number on paper, lenders clear these credits daily, and you enjoy lower payments long after closing. Comment BUYDOWN and I’ll run the numbers for your budget today.
