The Housing Market Is Finally Working Better for Buyers

Information in this post comes from “The Housing Market Is Swinging Toward Buyers,” The Wall Street Journal, February 2, 2026, and Redfin market reports.

For the first time in years, buying a home in the U.S. is getting easier—if you’re a buyer.

In 2025, almost two out of every three homebuyers paid less than the original asking price. This was the highest number since 2019. When homes did sell below the asking price, buyers saved an average of 8%—the biggest discount since 2012.

Redfin found that by December 2025, there were about 631,000 more people trying to sell homes than people trying to buy them. Home sales are still very low—the lowest in 30 years—even though mortgage rates have dropped a bit from last year. This means fewer buyers are out there, more homes are sitting empty, and the buyers who are looking have more choices.

From bidding wars to better deals

Just a few years ago—from 2020 to 2022—buying a home was really hard. Mortgage rates were super low, so tons of people wanted to buy. There weren’t enough homes for sale, and sellers could ask for high prices and still get multiple offers. Buyers had to write letters to sellers, skip inspections, and make offers within hours of seeing a house.

Those days are over. Now, sellers are learning they can’t always get the price they want. Buyers are negotiating lower prices and getting help with closing costs or lower mortgage rates—things that rarely happened during the pandemic housing boom. Buyers are also being pickier. More people are backing out of deals after home inspections show problems.

My search: looking for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condo in Sandy Springs

I’ve been watching these changes happen while looking for my own condo in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Sandy Springs is a suburb north of Atlanta with easy access to major highways, lots of jobs nearby, and many different condo buildings.

I’m looking for a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo with 2 parking spaces. I need this setup because: one bedroom is for me, one can be an office or guest room, and two parking spots mean my family and friends won’t struggle to find parking when they visit.

As I’ve watched condos that match what I want, I’ve seen a clear pattern: prices keep getting reduced and homes stay on the market longer, even in good locations. Sellers have to lower their prices to what buyers will actually pay—not what they hoped to get back in 2021.

One condo’s price keeps dropping: a real example

The best example is the actual condo I’m trying to buy in Sandy Springs. It has everything I need—2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 2 parking spaces—and watching its price tells the whole story:

• August 2025: Listed for $320,000 (about $282 per square foot)
• September 2025: Price dropped to $310,000 (down 3.1%)
• October 2025: Dropped again to $305,000 (down another 1.6%)
• October 31, 2025: Third price cut to $299,900 (down another 1.7%)—that’s a total drop of about 6.3% from the original price
• January 5, 2026: Finally got an offer at $299,900 and is now under contract (but cancelled later)
• January 21, 2026: Back to for sale at $299,900

A condo that started at $320,000 only got a buyer after the seller agreed to accept just under $300,000. This shows how buyers today are the ones setting prices, not sellers.

As a buyer, it shows me that:

• The market wouldn’t pay what the seller originally wanted
• Being patient and watching the price changes can create a good opportunity
• Even nice condos in good areas now need realistic prices to sell

How I’m making decisions in this market

This condo’s price journey has changed how I think about buying:

1. Look at the numbers, not just feelings. The seller went from $320,000 to $299,000, which matches what’s happening across the country. This helps me stay calm and not offer too much just because I like a place.
2. Use the price history to negotiate. When a property has already been reduced several times, the seller is probably willing to negotiate more. This also gives me facts to back up any requests for a lower price, help with closing costs, or repairs after inspection.
3. Think about total monthly cost, not just the price. For a condo, I also have to pay HOA fees every month, maybe special assessments, and my mortgage payment depends on interest rates. In today’s market, I’m more comfortable asking the seller to help with costs to make the monthly payment affordable.
4. Be ready to walk away. More buyers are canceling contracts now if they find major problems or if the deal stops making sense. I’m ready to do the same because there are other condos available.

What this means for buyers in 2026

The housing market in 2026 is still tough—mortgage rates are higher than they were during the pandemic, and homes are still expensive. But things are changing. More sellers, fewer buyers, and clear price drops—like what I saw with my Sandy Springs condo—mean buyers who are prepared can get better prices and better deals.

For someone like me looking for a 2 bed, 2 bath, 2 parking-space condo, this is a rare chance where being patient and careful can really help. The key is to be financially ready, watch the local listings closely, and be willing to make an offer when the right condo has the space I need at a price that makes sense.