Are There Still Deals for Home Buyers in Today's Real Estate Market?

One of the biggest myths I hear from buyers right now is:

“There aren't any deals in this market.”

Home prices are still high. Interest rates have changed what monthly payments look like. And when a great home hits the market at the right price, it can still attract plenty of attention.

So I understand why buyers may feel like there aren't many opportunities out there.

But here's the fact:

There are absolutely opportunities for buyers right now. You just need to know where to look.

And sometimes, the best opportunity isn't the brand-new listing that everyone is looking at.

It's the home everyone else has already scrolled past.

Where Are the Best Opportunities for Home Buyers?

When I'm searching for a home for a buyer, I'm not only watching the listings that came on the market today.

I'm also paying very close attention to homes that have been sitting.

That might mean a property that's been on the market for:

• 30 days

• 45 days

• 60 days

• Or even longer

A home sitting on the market doesn't automatically mean there's something wrong with it.

Maybe it started at the wrong price.

Maybe the photos didn't show the home well.

Maybe the seller didn't receive the offer they were hoping for.

Maybe the right buyer simply hasn't come along yet.

But as the days on market add up, the seller's situation may start to change.

And that's where an opportunity for a buyer can sometimes begin.

Why Days on Market Matter When You're Buying a Home

Think about the difference between these two situations.

A home hits the market on Friday. It's priced well, looks great online and multiple buyers immediately schedule showings.

How much negotiating power do you think a buyer has?

Probably not much.

Now consider another home.

It's been listed for 47 days. The seller has already reduced the price once. Showings have slowed down, and the seller is ready to make a move.

That's a very different negotiation.

It doesn't guarantee the seller will accept a lower offer, but it gives us information.

That's why I don't just search for homes based on bedrooms, bathrooms and price.

I'm also looking at the story behind the listing.

Price Reductions Can Create Opportunities

Price reductions are another area I watch closely.

A seller who reduces the asking price is giving us an important piece of information:

The original strategy didn't produce the result they wanted.

That doesn't necessarily mean they're desperate.

But it may mean they're becoming more realistic about what buyers are willing to pay.

That's when I want to look closer.

How long has the home been listed?

How many times has the price changed?

How does the new price compare with recent sales?

What else is available at that price?

Has the property been pending before?

Those details help us decide whether there may be room to negotiate.

Pay Attention to Homes That Fall Out of Escrow

Another category buyers sometimes overlook is the back-on-market listing.

This is a home that previously accepted an offer but came back onto the market.

And it's important to understand that a home falling out of escrow does NOT automatically mean something is wrong with the property.

Deals can fall apart for many reasons.

The buyer's financing may have changed.

The buyer may have gotten cold feet.

There may have been an issue with the buyer's current home selling.

Or the parties simply couldn't come to an agreement during the transaction.

Whatever happened, the seller is now back on the market after believing their home was already sold.

Depending on the circumstances, that can create a different level of motivation than when the property was first listed.

Vacant Homes Are Worth Watching Too

I also pay attention to vacant homes.

Again, a vacant home doesn't automatically mean a seller will negotiate.

But it raises questions worth asking.

Has the seller already moved?

Are they carrying the expenses of two properties?

Did they already purchase their next home?

Is this an investment property they want to sell?

How quickly would they like to close?

The more we understand about the situation, the better we can structure an offer.

A “Deal” Doesn't Always Mean a Huge Price Discount

This is probably the biggest point I want buyers to understand.

When people hear deal, they immediately think:

“I need to get the house for $50,000 under asking.”

But the purchase price is only one part of a real estate transaction.

Sometimes the better opportunity is getting favorable terms.

Depending on the property, seller and financing, there may be an opportunity to negotiate things such as:

• Seller credits toward allowable buyer costs

• Closing cost assistance

• Repairs

• Credits in lieu of certain repairs

• A home warranty

• Closing timeline or possession terms

• Potential financing concessions, such as funds toward an eligible rate buydown

The exact options depend on your loan, the seller and the transaction, but this is why I don't measure a successful negotiation by purchase price alone.

I look at the entire deal.

Could Seller Credits Be More Valuable Than a Lower Purchase Price?

Sometimes.

Let's say a seller isn't willing to make a large reduction in the purchase price but is willing to contribute toward allowable closing costs or a rate buydown.

Depending on your financing and circumstances, that concession could potentially make a bigger difference to your immediate out-of-pocket costs or monthly payment than a relatively small reduction in the sales price.

This is where your real estate agent and lender should work together.

Before negotiating, I want to know:

What matters most to you?

Is it keeping your cash needed at closing lower?

Is it reducing your monthly payment?

Is it handling necessary repairs?

Or is getting the lowest possible purchase price your biggest priority?

Once we know that, we can negotiate around what actually benefits you.

Why the Newest Listing Isn't Always the Best Opportunity

There's nothing wrong with buying a brand-new listing.

Sometimes the perfect house comes on the market and we need to move quickly.

But I don't want my buyers assuming that's the only place to look.

While everyone else is refreshing their apps waiting for the newest listing, I'm also looking backward.

I'm looking for the listing that has been sitting.

The home that just reduced its price.

The property that fell out of escrow.

The vacant home.

The seller who may have already moved.

And the listing that buyers may have overlooked because it didn't seem exciting when it first came on the market.

That's where negotiation can become especially important.

Should You Wait for Home Prices to Come Down Before Buying?

Not necessarily.

Trying to perfectly time the housing market is extremely difficult.

Instead, I think buyers should focus on the things they can actually control:

Your budget.

Your monthly payment.

Your financing.

The home you choose.

The terms of your offer.

And how well you negotiate the transaction.

High home prices don't automatically mean there are no opportunities.

They simply mean we may need to be more strategic about finding them.

How I Look for Opportunities for My Buyers

When I'm helping someone buy a home in Corona, Eastvale, Riverside, Norco or the surrounding Inland Empire, I'm not simply setting up a property search and waiting for them to tell me which house they like.

I'm watching what's happening behind the listings.

I'm looking at:

• Days on market

• Price history

• Price reductions

• Homes returning to the market

• Current competition

• Comparable sales

• Seller circumstances when they're known

• Property condition

• Financing possibilities

• Terms that may matter to the seller

Then we decide how to structure an offer based on the specific property.

Because two homes listed for the exact same price can present two completely different negotiating opportunities.

First, when you discuss whether buyers should wait for prices to come down, link to your existing “Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Home in Corona, CA?” article. Your current Corona guides are already pointing readers to that article when discussing affordability and buying decisions, so it fits naturally into this buyer cluster.

The Bottom Line for Buyers

So, is it true that there are no deals in today's real estate market?

No.

There are opportunities.

They just might look different than buyers expect.

The best opportunity may not have a giant price reduction attached to it.

It could be a seller willing to help with closing costs.

It could be a property where we negotiate repairs.

It could be an opportunity to structure financing differently.

Or it could be the home that's been sitting on the market for 45 days while everyone else is chasing the listing that came online yesterday.

Sometimes the best opportunity isn't the newest home on the market. It's the one everyone else has already scrolled past.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding a Deal When Buying a Home

Are there still good deals for home buyers?

Yes. Buyer opportunities can still exist even when home prices are high. Look beyond newly listed homes and consider properties with longer days on market, price reductions, homes returning to the market and sellers who may have more reason to negotiate.

How many days on market should buyers look for?

There's no magic number, but I start paying closer attention as a home accumulates days on market compared with similar properties nearby. A home sitting for 30, 45 or 60 days may present a different negotiation opportunity than a property that was listed yesterday.

Does a price reduction mean a seller will accept an even lower offer?

Not necessarily. A price reduction tells us the seller has already adjusted their expectations, but every situation is different. We still need to consider comparable sales, competition, property condition and the seller's circumstances.

Should I be worried about a house that fell out of escrow?

Not automatically. Transactions fall apart for many reasons that have nothing to do with the house. Your agent should find out what information is available about the previous transaction and make sure you complete your own inspections and due diligence.

Can buyers ask sellers to pay closing costs?

Depending on the transaction and loan program, buyers may be able to negotiate seller concessions toward certain allowable costs. Your lender should confirm how much you are eligible to receive and how those funds can be used.

Can a seller help buy down my interest rate?

Potentially. Depending on your financing, negotiated seller concessions may be used toward an eligible interest-rate buydown. Your lender should calculate the options so you can compare the potential benefit with other ways of structuring the offer.

Is it better to negotiate the home price or ask for seller credits?

It depends on your situation. A lower purchase price, seller credit, repair credit or financing concession can affect you differently. The better option depends on your available cash, loan, monthly payment and long-term plans.

What gives a home buyer more negotiating power?

Longer days on market, price reductions, limited competing interest, a previous canceled transaction, property condition and the seller's timing can all affect negotiating leverage. The strongest strategy depends on the individual property and seller.

Ready to Buy a Home in Corona or the Inland Empire?

If you're thinking about buying but feel discouraged by home prices or assume there aren't any good opportunities left, don't write off the market based only on what you're seeing online.

There may be opportunities hiding in listings you've already passed over.

I help buyers throughout Corona, Eastvale, Riverside, Norco and the surrounding Inland Empire look beyond the asking price and build a strategy around the property, seller and terms of the transaction.

The goal isn't simply to find a house.

It's to find the right house and negotiate the strongest overall deal we reasonably can.

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2. Living in Corona, CA: What Families Need to Know Before Moving

3. Eastvale vs Corona: Which Is Better for Your Family?

4. The Pros and Cons of Living in Corona, CA

Heather Jones, Realtor®
Digital Listing Specialist | Master Certified Negotiation Expert
Heather Jones Homes | Brokered by eXp Realty of California, Inc.
DRE #02067219