Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?

If you’re still worried about having to deal with a bidding war when you buy a home, you may be able to let some of that fear go.

While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared entirely, they’re not nearly as common as they used to be.

In fact, a recent survey shows agents reported only 1 in 5 homes (20%) nationally received multiple offers in June 2025.

That’s down from nearly 1 in 3 (31%) just a year ago — and dramatically lower than June 2023 (39%) (see graph below).

What This Means for Buyers

This trend means you should face less competition when you buy.
That gives you:

• 🕒 More time to make thoughtful decisions
• 💬 More negotiating power on price and terms
• 😌 Less pressure to rush or overbid

For buyers who felt sidelined during the pandemic boom, this market shift is a welcome change.

It Still Depends on Where You’re Buying

Of course, national trends don’t tell the full story — local dynamics matter a lot.

Survey data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) breaks things down regionally, showing just how different markets can be.

• In the Northeast, roughly 1 in 3 homes (34%) are still receiving multiple offers — well above the national average.
• In the Southeast, that number drops to just 6%.

What’s behind the difference?

Regions with lower-than-normal inventory are still seeing more competition and price pressure.
Markets with more listings are cooling off — and that means fewer bidding wars.

So depending on where you’re shopping, you might experience a balanced, buyer-friendly, or still-competitive market.

Sellers Are More Flexible Than You Might Think

Here’s another sign of how much things have changed:
According to a Redfin report, almost half of sellers are now offering concessions — like covering buyers’ closing costs or reducing their asking price to help get their home sold.

That’s a clear departure from the ultra-competitive markets of the past few years, when sellers rarely budged and buyers often waived inspections or appraisals just to stand out.

Now?
Sellers are more open to compromise — and that gives buyers more room to negotiate.

Still, these trends vary by location, which is why having a local agent’s expertise is key.

Bottom Line

If concerns about bidding wars have been holding you back, it might be time to take another look.

Nationally, competition is down — in some markets, significantly.
And with more sellers offering concessions, buyers today have more power and flexibility than they’ve had in years.

Want to find out what the market looks like where you’re buying? Let’s connect.

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