If the thought of a bidding war has been stressing you out, you might be able to breathe a little easier. Multiple-offer situations haven’t vanished completely, but they’re nowhere near as common as they were a couple of years ago. A recent survey shows that in June 2025, only about 1 in 5 homes nationwide attracted more than one offer. Just a year earlier, that number was closer to 1 in 3, and back in 2023 it was nearly 4 out of 10. Clearly, the tide is shifting.

This is good news for buyers. Less competition means you’re not as rushed to make a decision, and you have more room to negotiate on price and terms. But like most things in real estate, the local market still tells the real story. For example, the Northeast is still seeing about one in three homes draw multiple offers, well above the national average. On the flip side, in the Southeast, it’s closer to 6%, showing how much easier it may be to buy there. Inventory is the big factor behind the difference, where supply is low, bidding wars stick around; where listings are more plentiful, buyers have the upper hand.

Another major shift is how sellers are behaving. Not long ago, they held nearly all the cards, often refusing concessions while buyers bent over backwards, waiving inspections or appraisals just to win. Today, nearly half of sellers are making concessions, like covering closing costs or lowering their price. That’s a striking change from the frenzied market of just a few years back.

In my view, I’d say buyers now have more leverage than they’ve had in a while, but how much depends on where you’re shopping. Nationally, competition is cooling and sellers are more willing to compromise. If fear of a bidding war has kept you on the sidelines, this might be the moment to step back in.

Source Inspiration: Keeping Current Matters