Sellers Are More Flexible — Here’s What That Means for Buyers

If you’re still worried about getting caught in a bidding war when you buy a home, you can let some of that fear go.

While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared entirely, they’re not nearly as common as they used to be.

According to a recent survey, only 1 in 5 homes (20%) nationally received multiple offers in June 2025. That’s down from nearly 1 in 3 (31%) just a year ago — and way below the 39% we saw in June 2023 (see graph below).

This shift means less competition when you buy, giving you:

• More time to make decisions

• A stronger chance to negotiate price or terms

• A less stressful home search

It Still Depends on Where You’re Buying

Of course, national averages don’t tell the whole story. Local dynamics matter a lot.

Data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows just how different things can look across regions. For example:

• In the Northeast, 34% of homes (roughly 1 in 3) are still getting multiple offers — well above the national average.

• In the Southeast, that number is just 6%.

What explains the difference? Inventory.

Markets with fewer homes for sale still see more competition. But where there are more listings, competition has cooled — and that means fewer bidding wars and more breathing room for buyers.

Sellers Are More Flexible Than You Might Think

Another big change from a few years ago: sellers are making concessions.

According to Redfin, nearly half of sellers today are offering something extra to help buyers close the deal — like covering part of the buyer’s closing costs or adjusting their asking price.

That’s a major shift from the frenzied market of 2021-2022, when sellers rarely compromised and buyers often waived inspections or appraisals just to stand out.

Today, buyers have leverage again.

Bottom Line

If bidding wars have been the thing holding you back from buying, now may be your moment. Nationally, competition is down, sellers are more flexible, and in many markets, buyers finally have more negotiating power.

👉 Want to know what the market looks like in your area? Connect with a local real estate agent to get the latest insights and a strategy that works where you’re buying.