http://lziegler.cbharper.com/blog/archive_202602/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ Want to know where the best deals are hiding right now? They’re usually not the brand-new listings with five showings scheduled on day one. They’re the homes that have been sitting for a while.When a listing lingers, something interesting happens. Sellers start out confident. Then they get hopeful. Then… they get realistic. And that’s when opportunities open up for smart buyers. If your goal is to get the most house for your money, this is a strategy you shouldn’t ignore.The Opportunity: Price Reductions Are EverywhereAbout 1 in 5 homes on the market this year has had at least one price reduction. That’s roughly 20% of listings. And this isn’t isolated to one city or one state — it’s happening across the country.What that tells us is simple:There are motivated sellers out there. The key is knowing how to identify them.Because not every price drop is equal. Some sellers reduce quickly and won’t budge further. Others are testing the market and may be open to stronger negotiation. That’s where strategy matters.The Tactic: Focus on Homes With Longer Days on MarketHomes that have been sitting longer typically offer the most negotiation power. Why?The seller may be frustrated.Showings may have slowed down.They may already be carrying two house payments.They may have already moved.And when fewer buyers are competing for the same home, you gain leverage. Less competition often means:Fewer bidding warsMore flexibility on priceClosing cost creditsInterest rate buy-downsRepair concessionsHome warrantiesFlexible closing timelinesThose “extras” can easily add up to thousands — sometimes tens of thousands — of dollars in savings.The Data Backs It UpThere’s a consistent pattern in the housing market:The longer a home sits, the more likely it is to sell for less than its original asking price. On average, homes that linger tend to sell for around 94% of the original list price. That may not sound dramatic at first — but on a median-priced home, that could translate to roughly $20,000–$25,000 in savings. And that doesn’t even factor in negotiated closing costs or rate buy-down incentives, which can reduce your upfront cash or monthly payment. Paying 94% of the original asking price may not sound like a great deal, but it's $24,000 on a $400,000 home. Finding the Right “Sitting” HomeNot every home that’s been on the market a while is a deal. Some are overpriced for a reason. Some need repairs. Some simply weren’t marketed well.The goal isn’t just to buy a home that’s been sitting. The goal is to find:A solid homePriced slightly high or overlookedWith motivated sellersWhere negotiation can improve the termsThat’s where experience matters — analyzing days on market, price history, seller patterns, and neighborhood data to identify true opportunity.Bottom LineIf you want the best deal possible in today’s market, don’t just look at the newest listings. Look where others aren’t.With about 1 in 5 homes experiencing price reductions and many sellers becoming more flexible, the properties that have been sitting a little longer could offer your strongest negotiating position.If you’re thinking about buying and want help identifying the best opportunities — without overpaying — I’d be happy to help you build a smart strategy.There are good deals out there. You just need to know where to find them. http://lziegler.cbharper.com/blog/1517/how-to-find-the-best-deal-possible-on-a-home-right-now/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:19:49 -0600