Buyers Are Gaining Negotiating Power in the DFW Housing Market

Buyers Are Gaining Negotiating Power in the DFW Housing Market

If you have been waiting for signs that the housing market is shifting in favor of buyers, recent data confirms it. According to a report from Redfin, homebuyers in 2025 negotiated the largest discounts below list price since 2012.

Nationally, buyers who purchased a home for less than asking price received an average discount of 7.9 percent. That equates to roughly $31,500 off the list price. Even when looking at all buyers, not just those who negotiated below list, the average discount was still about 3.8 percent.

Perhaps most telling is this: more than 62 percent of buyers paid less than the list price last year. That is the highest share since 2019. At the same time, fewer than one quarter of buyers paid over asking.

What is driving this shift? Supply. There are now significantly more sellers than buyers, giving today’s buyers more options and more leverage. Higher mortgage rates and affordability concerns caused many buyers to pause, while sellers continued to list homes, sometimes at prices that no longer match current market conditions.

Here in the Dallas Fort Worth area, I am seeing this play out in real time. Homes that are priced realistically are still selling, and in some cases attracting multiple offers. Homes priced based on pandemic-era expectations often sit longer and require price reductions or concessions.

Another key factor is mortgage rates. Many homeowners locked in low rates years ago and are hesitant to sell unless the numbers truly make sense. That has created uneven inventory, which opens the door for prepared buyers to negotiate price reductions, seller paid closing costs, or credits for repairs or interest rate buydowns.

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What I Am Seeing Locally in North Texas

National data tells one story, but real estate is always local. In DFW, pricing strategy matters more than ever.

Some sellers are still anchored to prices that no longer match recent comparable sales. Others are adapting quickly, and those homes tend to attract stronger offers.

This lines up with what I see every day. Homes that are priced realistically, or slightly under market, still move quickly and can even attract multiple offers. Homes priced based on 2021 expectations often sit, require price reductions, or end up offering concessions to close the deal.

Another factor holding some sellers back is their existing mortgage rate. Many locked in 2 to 3 percent rates during the pandemic and are understandably reluctant to sell unless the numbers on their next home truly make sense. That hesitation contributes to uneven inventory and creates negotiation opportunities for buyers who are prepared.

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What This Means for Buyers in 2026

If you are thinking about buying a home in DFW this year, the biggest takeaway is simple. Do not automatically rule out homes that feel slightly out of reach.

Buyers today are often negotiating:

• Price reductions

• Seller paid closing costs

• Repair credits or interest rate buydowns

This is a major shift from the pandemic years, when buyers were advised to search well below their budget to account for bidding wars. In today’s market, the strategy is different and more nuanced.

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My Takeaway

The biggest takeaway for buyers in 2026 is simple. Do not automatically rule out homes that feel slightly above your budget. In today’s market, the final terms often look very different from the original list price.

This is a market that rewards preparation, education, and local guidance. If you are thinking about buying, relocating, or making a move due to a life change, understanding these trends can make a meaningful difference in both your purchase price and your long-term affordability.

As always, my goal is to help you make confident, well-informed decisions in a changing market.