Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?
If you’re still worried about having to deal with a bidding war when you buy a home, you may be able to 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. In fact, a recent survey shows agents reported 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 dramatically lower than in June 2023 (39%) (see graph below):
This trend means you should face less competition when you buy. That gives you more time to make decisions and the ability to negotiate price or terms.
It Still Depends on Where You’re Buying
Of course, national trends don’t tell the full story. Local dynamics matter, a lot. This second graph uses survey data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) to break things down by region to prove just how true that is. It shows, while the share of homes getting multiple offers has dropped pretty much everywhere, some areas are still seeing more offers than others:
In the Northeast, 34% of homes (roughly 1 in 3) are still receiving multiple offers. That’s more than the national average. But in Southeast, that number drops to just 6%.
What’s behind the difference? In general, the areas still seeing bidding wars tend to have lower-than-normal inventory. That imbalance between buyers and available homes keeps pressure on prices and competition. But markets with more listings are seeing conditions cool – and that means fewer bidding wars.
Sellers Are More Flexible Than You Might Think
Here’s another shift to show you just how much things have changed. According to a Redfin report, almost half of sellers are offering concessions, like covering their buyer’s closing costs or dropping their asking price to get their house sold.
That’s a clear sign this isn’t the same ultra-competitive market we saw a few years ago. Back then, sellers rarely compromised. And buyers often waived their inspection or appraisal to try to make their offer stand out. Now, things are different.
But again, how often this is happening is going to vary based on where you’re looking to buy. And that’s why you need a local agent’s expertise.
Bottom Line
If concerns about bidding wars have been holding you back, it may be time to take another look. Nationally, competition is down. In some markets, it’s down significantly. And with more sellers offering concessions, buyers today have more power and flexibility than they’ve had in a long time.
Want to find out what the market looks like where you’re buying? Let’s connect.
Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?
The real estate market has been a whirlwind of transformation over the past several years. What once felt like a relentless battlefield of buyers outbidding one another, waiving contingencies, and stretching budgets beyond comfort has begun to evolve into something different. Many buyers today are asking a critical question: Should you still expect a bidding war when you go to buy a home?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. The landscape of home buying is a tapestry woven from national trends, local market dynamics, and the psychology of both buyers and sellers. Understanding where the market stands right now—and how it could affect your personal journey—is essential. Let’s explore how things have shifted, what that means for competition, and why working with professionals who know your market inside and out is more important than ever.
The Changing Face of Competition
Not long ago, the phrase bidding war was practically synonymous with trying to buy a home. Buyers felt compelled to offer thousands over asking price, waive inspections, and even resort to risky tactics like appraisal waivers just to stand a chance. Multiple offers on nearly every property became the norm, driving both anxiety and prices sky-high.
Today, the market looks different. A recent analysis showed that only about one in five homes nationally is receiving multiple offers, down substantially from prior years. This is a clear sign of housing competition cooling.
But don’t mistake “cooling” for “gone.” While the frenzy has eased, competition hasn’t evaporated entirely. Certain regions and price points still see aggressive buyer activity, especially in areas where inventory levels are painfully tight.
National Trends: Where We Stand
When examining national trends, a few clear patterns emerge. Inventory across the country has slowly started to climb. More listings mean more available homes, which naturally dilutes demand and gives buyers more room to breathe. In turn, that has softened the likelihood of bidding wars erupting on every property.
However, the story isn’t just about numbers. It’s about psychology. When buyers feel less urgency and more control, the dynamic of negotiation changes. Price negotiation becomes more common. Seller concessions—such as covering closing costs or offering asking price reductions—are increasingly on the table. According to a Redfin report, nearly half of all sellers nationally are making some type of concession to lure buyers.
This represents a dramatic departure from the frenzied days when sellers dictated terms without hesitation.
The Power of Local Market Dynamics
Here’s where things get nuanced: national averages don’t dictate local realities. Local market dynamics matter—often more than anything else.
For example, data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters shows stark differences by region. In the Northeast housing market, about one in three properties is still receiving multiple offers. Contrast that with the Southeast housing market, where only around six percent of homes see the same.
Why the disparity? It boils down to housing supply. In the Northeast, inventory levels remain below what’s needed to balance demand, creating pockets of fierce competition. Meanwhile, many Southeastern markets have more listings relative to demand, resulting in calmer negotiations and far fewer bidding wars.
This is where local agents’ expertise becomes invaluable. A local real estate agent’s expertise provides clarity about whether you’re stepping into a hotbed of competition or a calmer environment where buyer flexibility is abundant.
Sellers Are Adapting to New Realities
Perhaps the most telling shift lies in how sellers are adjusting. Gone are the days when properties flew off the market in hours without compromise. Today, asking price reductions are becoming more common. Incentives such as paying closing costs or making repairs are increasingly offered upfront.
That means buyers no longer have to waive every safeguard to be competitive. In fact, inspection waivers and appraisal waivers—once standard weapons in a buyer’s arsenal—are far less necessary in many markets. Buyers today can insist on proper inspections, negotiate repairs, and still have a strong chance of winning the deal.
This change empowers buyers, restoring a balance that had all but disappeared.
The Rise of Buyer Flexibility
Flexibility is a powerful theme in today’s market. With fewer bidding wars, buyers are no longer forced to make rushed decisions. They have time to schedule thorough inspections, consult with lenders, and compare available homes before committing.
This breathing room opens the door to smarter, more deliberate choices. It also allows for creative negotiations—everything from price negotiation to timing the closing date in a way that benefits both sides.
Buyer flexibility is one of the most underrated advantages of this current cycle. It restores confidence, reduces stress, and ultimately makes the process of home buying more strategic and less frantic.
West Palm Beach: A Spotlight on Mortgage Choices
Regional variations aren’t just about competition—they also extend to financing. For buyers in South Florida, particularly in Palm Beach County, aligning with the right lender is a decisive factor.
Working with a West Palm Beach mortgage broker can unlock access to tailored lending solutions, especially if you’re comparing local mortgage lenders in West Palm Beach. Whether you’re seeking affordable West Palm Beach home loans, exploring first time home buyer loans in West Palm Beach, or chasing the best mortgage rates in West Palm Beach, guidance matters.
For those already in the market, West Palm Beach refinancing options are plentiful, offering opportunities to restructure loans and reduce monthly burdens. Tools such as West Palm Beach mortgage calculators simplify the decision-making process, helping you assess payments before committing.
For investors and business owners, a commercial mortgage broker in West Palm Beach provides specialized strategies for larger property deals. And if you’re just starting out, mortgage preapproval in West Palm Beach is an essential step that signals seriousness to sellers and strengthens your negotiation position.
Even when the focus is on property loan advice in West Palm Beach, the principle remains universal: leverage local expertise for an edge.
Why Local Agents Matter More Than Ever
While the national narrative is useful, the on-the-ground reality in your neighborhood can be wildly different. That’s where a trusted guide becomes indispensable. A seasoned local agent doesn’t just know the numbers; they know the rhythms of the community. They understand whether a home listed on Tuesday will likely have five offers by Friday—or whether it may linger for weeks until a buyer negotiates a price cut.
Local agents’ expertise isn’t just about homes; it’s about reading the undercurrents of human behavior. They know when sellers are open to concessions. They can identify if listings are overpriced relative to market conditions. They anticipate the subtle shifts that data alone can’t reveal.
This kind of local real estate agent expertise ensures you’re not flying blind. It transforms uncertainty into confidence, particularly in markets where conditions change block by block.
Looking Ahead: Will Competition Return?
The cyclical nature of real estate means that today’s calm can shift. Buyer demand is always influenced by broader forces—interest rates, job growth, migration patterns, and even generational shifts. Should demand surge while supply lags, competition could intensify once more.
However, at present, the signs point to continued balance. Modest increases in housing supply are gradually aligning with demand, keeping housing competition cooling as the prevailing trend. Sellers are adapting by offering more, and buyers are stepping into the arena with greater control.
That doesn’t mean bidding wars are gone forever—but for now, they’re less likely to dominate the headlines of your home buying journey.
Bottom Line
So, should you still expect a bidding war? The short answer: it depends on where you’re looking, what you’re buying, and how you’re approaching the process.
In many markets, bidding wars are no longer the default. National trends reveal cooling, while data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) highlights stark regional differences—from the heated Northeast housing market to the calmer Southeast housing market. Seller concessions, asking price reductions, and more buyer flexibility have reshaped the landscape, creating opportunities for buyers to negotiate and reclaim confidence.
But navigating this nuanced terrain requires expertise. A skilled local agent or local mortgage lenders in West Palm Beach can give you the clarity you need—whether that means finding the right home, securing first time home buyer loans in West Palm Beach, or leveraging West Palm Beach refinancing options.
Today’s market may not be defined by relentless bidding wars, but it is defined by opportunity. And for buyers ready to make smart, deliberate moves, that may just be the best news in years.
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