February 14, 2026
62% Of All Home Buyers In The USA Bought Homes At A Discount To List Price Highest Since 2019
The U.S. housing market is increasingly shifting in favor of buyers, with nearly 62% of homes sold last year closing below their original listing price — the highest share since 2019, according to Redfin. The average discount on those homes was about 8%, the largest since 2012. Sellers are also offering more concessions, such as covering closing costs or helping buyers reduce mortgage rates. This marks a sharp reversal from the 2020–2022 period, when ultra-low mortgage rates fueled bidding wars and strong seller leverage.
The shift reflects a widening imbalance between supply and demand. In December, there were more than 600,000 additional sellers than buyers nationwide — the largest gap recorded in data going back to 2013. High home prices and elevated mortgage rates have sidelined many would-be buyers, keeping overall sales near a 30-year low. However, those still able to purchase are benefiting from greater selection and negotiating power. Economists expect modest improvement this year as mortgage rates ease and buyers and sellers gradually align on pricing expectations.
Buyer-friendly conditions are most evident in parts of the South, particularly Florida and Texas, where strong new-home construction has expanded supply. In several Florida metro areas, at least 85% of buyers paid below asking price. By contrast, tighter-inventory markets such as Newark, San Francisco, and San Jose saw far fewer discounted sales. With buyers more selective, overpriced or renovation-heavy homes are lingering on the market, contracts are being canceled more frequently, and sellers are increasingly willing to negotiate — signaling a housing landscape that now clearly favors disciplined and patient buyers.
ARTICLE SOURCE : https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/the-housing-market...