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If you want to stretch your budget and find the best deal possible in today’s housing market, here’s a simple strategy that most buyers overlook: focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.

When a listing lingers, most sellers eventually become more realistic about price and terms. That’s where savvy buyers are finding opportunities other people pass by.

The Opportunity: 1 in 5 Homes Has Had a Price Cut

According to recent data from Realtor.com, roughly 1 in every 5 listings has reduced its asking price at least once this year. And while local markets always vary, this trend is showing up across much of the country.

What does that mean for you as a buyer?

No matter where you’re shopping, there’s a good chance you can find a better deal you just need to know where to look. That’s where having a strategic real estate agent on your side makes all the difference.

The Strategy: Target Homes That Have Been Sitting the Longest

Your agent can quickly pull a list of homes that have been on the market the longest in your price range and preferred areas. Those are often the properties where you have the most negotiating power.

Why? Because:

The seller may be frustrated their home hasn’t sold yet.
They may already have made a price cut or be considering one.
Many buyers automatically skip these listings, so you may be the only serious offer they get.

Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) backs this up: the longer a home stays on the market, the more likely it is to sell for less than its original list price. If you’re serious about maximizing your budget, focusing on these “overlooked” listings can be one of the smartest moves you make.

Even a Small Discount Can Go a Long Way

And remember, the savings don’t have to be dramatic to make a big impact.

Even paying 94% of the original asking price may not sound like a huge win at first but it adds up. On a median-priced home, that can translate to roughly $24,000 in savings. That’s money you can keep in your pocket or put toward closing costs, renovations, furnishings, or simply building your financial cushion.

The Bottom Line

With roughly 1 in 5 sellers reducing their price and many growing more flexible the longer their home sits, the listings that have been on the market a bit longer could be your best opportunity to save.

If you’re ready to hunt for real value not just scroll through pretty photos start by looking where other buyers aren’t.

Want help spotting these hidden opportunities?
Reach out to me, your local real estate expert, and I’ll show you exactly where to find the homes with the most negotiating power in the areas you’re looking to move.

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