Over the past few years, homebuyers have faced one of the most competitive housing markets in history. Bidding wars, waived contingencies, and offers well over asking price became the norm. But as Joe Bigelman from John Adams Mortgage explains, the landscape has shifted — and it’s finally tilting back in favor of buyers.

From Seller-Driven to Balanced: What Changed?

For much of the last two years, sellers held all the cards. Low inventory, high demand, and historically low interest rates created an environment where buyers had to go above and beyond just to have their offer considered.

Now, things are stabilizing.

“We’re seeing about a three-month supply of homes on the market,” Joe says. “That’s a sign of a more balanced, healthier market — not so tilted toward sellers anymore.”

In real estate, a three- to six-month inventory is typically considered balanced. When supply increases, sellers must be more competitive — and that opens new opportunities for buyers.

What This Means for Today’s Homebuyers

According to Joe Bigelman, the shift means many buyers who were previously priced out or discouraged by fierce competition are getting their shot again.

“Buyers who couldn’t compete before — like those with smaller down payments or using FHA or VA loans — are finally getting offers accepted,” he notes.

Here are some key trends Joe is seeing:

• Lower down payment offers are gaining traction.

• Seller concessions are back, meaning sellers are more willing to help with closing costs.

• Contingent offers (like needing to sell your home first) are being accepted again.

These are all signs that sellers are no longer in complete control — and that buyers have regained negotiating power.

Why Now Could Be the Right Time to Act

If you’ve been waiting on the sidelines, hoping for a better chance to buy, this could be your moment.

Joe emphasizes that “now is the time to get back in the game, especially if you find a home you love.”

In addition to increased buying power, interest rates have shown some recent improvement. While they’re still higher than pandemic-era lows, they’ve come down from their recent peaks, making monthly payments a bit more manageable.

The key takeaway? Buyers no longer have to stretch beyond their comfort zone just to compete.

Expert Insight from Joe Bigelman

Joe Bigelman has worked with countless homebuyers over the years, and he says this is one of the best windows we’ve seen in a while for serious, qualified buyers to make a move.

“If you’ve been discouraged before — maybe your offer wasn’t accepted, or you kept getting outbid — this market is different,” Joe explains. “There’s more breathing room, more options, and more flexibility from sellers.”

That doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. Good homes still sell quickly, and competition hasn’t disappeared entirely. But for buyers who’ve been waiting for their moment, this shift is a welcome change.

Sources: Realtor.com, NAR.realtor, CNBC.com, FreddieMac.com