Top 10 Buyer-Friendly Housing Markets Where You Can Snag a Deal

If you are on the hunt for a home and dreaming of snagging a deal, you're in luck! In June of 2025, several housing markets across the U.S. are seeing a trend where homes are selling below the original asking price. According to recent data, the data shows that some locations, mainly found in the South and West, are offering buyers a chance to save. Price reductions can indicate changing dynamics and provide strategic options for savvy home buyers.

Top 10 Buyer-Friendly Housing Markets Where You Can Snag a Deal

Why Are Prices Dropping Below Asking in Some Areas?

Several interconnected factors contribute to homes selling below their initial list price.

• Rising Inventory: A major reason is a jump in the number of homes for sale, what we call inventory. This is happening particularly in the South and West.
• Slower Buyer Demand: While inventory is going up, the number of people actively looking to buy isn't keeping pace. This often happens when interest rates are high, or there's economic uncertainty.
• Over-Optimistic Sellers: Sometimes, sellers list their homes at prices that are simply too high for the current market. When the home doesn't sell quickly, they're forced to lower the price.

Where Can You Find These Deals?

Realtor.com recently did some digging and pinpointed the top 10 metro areas where you're most likely to find homes with price reductions. Let's take a closer look:

Rank	Metro Area	Share of Listings with Price Cuts	Median Listing Price	Price Change YoY	Median Days on Market
1	Denver, CO	33.7%	$609,950	-3.6%	45
2	Phoenix, AZ	33.2%	$520,000	-3%	65
3	Austin, TX	32.3%	$524,950	-4.5%	58
4	Tampa, FL	31.2%	$419,000	-1.4%	48
5	Dallas, TX	30.6%	$440,000	-2.3%	50
6	Colorado Springs, CO	30.2%	$515,000	-1.5%	43
7	Jacksonville, FL	30.1%	$408,995	-2.6%	67
8	Portland, OR	29.6%	$615,000	-1.6%	49
9	Salt Lake City, UT	28.8%	$595,000	-1.2%	48
10	Charleston, SC	28.5%	$535,000	1.1%	50

Breaking Down the Top Markets:

Let's dive a little deeper into a few of these areas:

• Denver, CO: Denver tops the list with over one-third of homes seeing price cuts. The “Mile High City” saw a drop in median home prices compared to last year, and homes are sitting on the market a bit longer. Denver has been a booming area, but like many places, it has seen a rapid increase in housing supply, which outpaces the demand.

• Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix is experiencing something similar. It was a hot market during the pandemic, but now things are cooling off. A significant number of sellers in Phoenix took their homes off the market altogether rather than lower their prices. With over 33% of homes seeing price drops, it's a clear sign that buyers have more negotiating power.

• Austin, TX: Austin's surge in popularity has led to increased construction. The city has witnessed a significant boom in inventory. However, the increase in supply has prompted many existing home owners to engage the market with slashed pricing.

• Tampa, FL and Jacksonville, FL: Florida, in general, has seen significant construction in recent years, and with rising insurance costs, this has cooled the market.

Expert Insights – It's All About Supply and Demand

According to experts, supply is out pacing demand in these markets. Which means sellers are being forced to take less than they initially anticipated.” And, the rise of interest rates may have caused a decrease in the number of active buyers.

What Does This Mean for Buyers?

If you're a buyer in one of these markets, this is good news! You have an opportunity to potentially buy a home for less than the original asking price, but remember to not depend only on the original cost, do your own proper research, assess the house's price according to it's actual market value.

Here's what you should keep in mind:

• Do Your Research: Don't just jump at the first price cut you see. Understand the local market, compare similar properties, and get a feel for what a fair price is. Look at comparable properties (or “comps”) to get an understanding of market value.
• Negotiate Wisely: A price reduction is a great starting point, but you can still negotiate further. Consider making an offer below the reduced price, especially if the home has been on the market for a while.
• Consider All Costs: Don't just focus on the purchase price. Factor in closing costs, potential repairs, property taxes, and insurance when determining your budget.
• Get Pre-Approved: Before you start seriously looking, get pre-approved for a mortgage. This will show sellers that you're a serious buyer and give you a clear idea of what you can afford.
• Don't waive inspections!: Be sure the houses do not have serious, unrepariable faultlines because price cuts on homes can also be an indicator of a serious issue.

Taking the plunge in this market can be a financially astute decision for any buyer.

What Does This Mean for Sellers?

If you're a seller in one of these markets, you need to be realistic about pricing. Don't overprice your home based on what you think it's worth or what you need to get out of it. Price your home competitively from the start, and be prepared to negotiate.

• Consider Staging: Make your home as appealing as possible to potential buyers. This might involve decluttering, making minor repairs, and staging the home to showcase its best features.

• Work With a Good Agent: A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you price your home correctly and market it effectively.

The market dynamics are turning in favour of buyers, but smart sellers can still find success by adapting to the changing conditions.

The Future of the Market:

It's tough to predict the future with certainty, but many experts believe that we will see interest rates decrease over time and the buyers' activity in those markets will increase. If this happens, we can expect that price reductions will slow down soon.

The current trends of these markets won't last forever. As the market changes, understanding the signals and adapting is key for both buyers and sellers.