Market
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5 min read
What a quiet market actually rewards
Fewer listings is not the same as fewer opportunities. What changes is who gets to set the pace — and how long you can afford to wait.
A quiet market is not a stalled one. Fewer listings means fewer buyers competing for each of them, and that changes who sets the pace of a deal.
What actually changes
In a busy quarter the seller writes the terms. In a quiet one the buyer can ask for a longer inspection window, a later close, or a repair credit — and often get it, because the alternative is another month of carrying costs.
We tell sellers the same thing we tell buyers: the number on the listing is the least interesting part of the negotiation.
What to do about it
If you are buying, this is the season to be specific rather than fast. Pick the three streets you actually want and wait for them. If you are selling, price to the last honest comparable, not to the peak of two years ago.
Written by
Avery Collins
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