The United States currently has ~44% more sellers than buyers, giving qualified purchasers more room to negotiate prices, concessions, and contract terms.
Elevated financing costs remain a hurdle, but larger inventory gives prepared buyers more choices and stronger leverage than during recent seller-dominated years.
New construction shows added flexibility: ~36% of builders priced ↓~6%, creating openings to request closing help, repairs, or rate buydowns, where available.
Buyer strategy matters now: compare lenders, strengthen credit, and search markets with greater home availability before choosing property size or location trade-offs.
A trade economist projected possible mortgage-rate relief later in 2026, while buyers with stable jobs and organized finances can act strategically now.

Higher borrowing costs are raising the cost of delaying a purchase, as buyers who wait face potentially larger monthly payments if financing conditions remain elevated.
Home prices are not falling fast enough to offset financing costs, meaning waiting for a cheaper home does not automatically guarantee a lower overall purchase cost.
Buyers still have negotiating opportunities in some markets, particularly where inventory has improved and sellers are competing for fewer offers.
Takeaway: Waiting can make sense for some buyers, but the decision now depends on the full cost of financing, price and negotiating leverage—not rates alone.