For the past few years, many buyers felt like they were constantly playing defense.

Homes were moving quickly, competition was intense, and it often felt like the only way to win was to overpay, waive protections, and hope for the best. For a lot of people, especially first-time buyers, that kind of market made homeownership feel frustrating, rushed, and financially uncomfortable.

But the market has shifted.

Today, buyers are walking into a very different environment than they were just a couple of years ago. Nationally, inventory has been rising, affordability has improved compared to last year, and buyer demand remains softer than many sellers expected. In practical terms, that means buyers now have something they have not had in a while: leverage.

If you have been thinking about buying a home but were waiting for a moment when the market felt a little more balanced, this may be exactly the kind of environment worth paying attention to.

More Inventory Means More Choice and Less Pressure

One of the biggest reasons this market is more favorable for buyers is simple: there are more homes to choose from.

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, total housing inventory in February 2026 rose to 1.29 million units, up 2.4% from January and 4.9% from a year earlier. Unsold inventory stood at a 3.8 month supply, which is higher than the same time last year.

That may not sound dramatic at first glance, but in the real world it changes how buyers experience the market.

When inventory grows, buyers are less likely to feel cornered into making rushed decisions. Instead of jumping on the very first property that looks decent, buyers can compare options, study pricing more carefully, and make decisions based on long-term fit rather than short-term panic. More supply also means sellers are no longer automatically in control just because they listed a home.

That matters because the best real estate decisions are rarely made under pressure. They are made when buyers have room to think clearly, evaluate trade-offs, and negotiate from a position of strength.

There Are Simply More Sellers Than Buyers Right Now

This is the part many buyers miss.

A lot of people still assume the housing market is as overheated as it was during the peak frenzy years, but current data tells a more nuanced story. In a March 2026 report, Redfin found that there were an estimated 46.3% more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. housing market in February, the largest gap in its records dating back to 2013. Redfin also notes that by its definition, the national market has been a buyer’s market since May 2024.

Why does that matter?

Because when sellers outnumber buyers, the dynamic changes. Buyers have more options, sellers face more competition, and negotiations become more flexible. Homes may sit longer, price reductions become more common, and sellers become more willing to work with serious buyers to get a deal done. Redfin’s buyer-versus-seller guidance also notes that in buyer’s markets, listings tend to stay on the market longer and buyers are more likely to receive concessions, repairs, or more favorable terms.

In other words, this is no longer the kind of market where buyers always have to come in swinging above asking just to be taken seriously.

Why Negotiation Matters More in This Kind of Market

A more balanced or buyer-leaning market does not just help you find a home. It can also help you buy that home on better terms.

That is where strategy matters.

When homes are sitting longer or when sellers are getting fewer offers than expected, buyers may have room to negotiate a lower purchase price, request repairs, ask for credits, or improve the overall deal structure. Redfin notes that in buyer’s markets, sellers are more likely to negotiate and buyers may see price reductions, seller concessions, or repairs included to close the deal.

That does not mean every home is suddenly a bargain or that every seller is desperate. It means the conversation has changed. Instead of simply asking, “How fast do we need to move?” buyers can now ask better questions, such as:

• Is the home priced correctly for today’s market?
• Has it been sitting long enough to create leverage?
• Is the seller motivated by timing, condition, or lack of activity?
• Can we structure an offer that protects your cash while still getting accepted?

That is where a smart negotiation strategy can create real value. A good deal is not only about the final price. It is also about what you keep in your pocket, what costs you avoid, and how well the contract is structured in your favor.

Seller Credits Can Make a Bigger Difference Than Buyers Realize

One of the most important opportunities in this market is the potential to negotiate seller credits.

Seller credits are funds the seller agrees to contribute toward the buyer’s closing costs. Depending on the situation, those credits can help cover part, and sometimes even a large portion, of the expenses a buyer would normally pay at closing. That can include lender fees, title charges, escrow costs, prepaid items, and other transaction-related expenses, subject to loan guidelines and deal structure.

For many buyers, especially first-time buyers, this can be a game changer.

A lot of buyers spend months focusing only on down payment, without realizing that closing costs are another major part of the cash needed to complete a purchase. So even when a buyer qualifies for a loan and can afford the monthly payment, the upfront cash requirement can still feel like a barrier.

That is exactly why negotiation matters so much right now.

Vanessa Brink makes clear that one of her priorities is getting seller credits whenever possible to lower buyer costs. She also emphasizes helping buyers understand what they can actually afford and making financially sound decisions, not just emotional ones. That positioning fits this market especially well, because credits and negotiated terms can make the difference between a purchase feeling stretched and a purchase feeling sustainable.

Affordability Has Improved Compared to a Year Ago

Another reason this market deserves a closer look is that affordability has improved compared to where things stood a year ago.

NAR reported that its Housing Affordability Index increased to 117.6 in February 2026, up from 117.1 in January and 103.1 a year earlier, marking the eighth consecutive month of improvement and the highest level since March 2022. NAR also noted that affordability improved year over year across all four major U.S. regions, including the West.

That does not mean affordability is suddenly easy. It does mean the math is moving in a better direction than it was before.

For buyers, that creates a more workable landscape. Improved affordability, combined with rising inventory and softer competition, can open doors that felt closed not long ago. And for buyers in areas like the Valley and greater Los Angeles, where price sensitivity matters and smart structuring matters even more, those incremental improvements can have a real impact.

This Is Especially Important for First-Time Buyers and Payment-Conscious Buyers

Not every buyer is looking for a forever dream home right out of the gate.

Some buyers are simply trying to make a financially smart first move. Others are trying to stop renting, start building equity, and get into a home that works now, even if it is not perfect. Vanessa speaks directly to that reality. She positions herself as someone who helps buyers get into homes even if they think they cannot afford it, and she talks openly about identifying homes with potential and helping clients buy smart without overspending.

That message is particularly relevant in this kind of market.

When inventory is higher and buyer competition is lighter, there is often more room to look beyond the polished, ultra-competitive listings and focus instead on homes with strong fundamentals but cosmetic upside. In many cases, those properties create some of the best opportunities because they attract less emotional bidding while still offering long-term value.

That is often how buyers make a smart entry into the market. Not by chasing perfection, but by recognizing potential, negotiating well, and preserving as much financial flexibility as possible.

Why Waiting for the “Perfect” Market Can Backfire

A lot of buyers are still waiting for a perfect signal.

They want rates to drop more. They want prices to come down more. They want certainty. They want a big green light that says now is the exact right time.

The problem is that real estate rarely works that way.

By the time the market feels obviously favorable to everyone, competition usually comes back with it. More buyers jump in, multiple offers return, leverage shrinks, and the opportunity to negotiate starts disappearing again. A quieter market often feels less exciting, but that is exactly why it can offer more opportunity to prepared buyers.

NAR’s February data shows that housing demand remains relatively muted even as affordability improves and inventory grows. That combination is a big part of what is creating today’s opening for buyers.

The best time to buy is not when the headlines feel perfect. It is when your finances, your goals, and the market conditions line up in a way that allows you to buy wisely.

What Buyers Should Be Doing Right Now

If you are considering a purchase in today’s market, this is the time to be deliberate.

Get clear on your numbers. Understand your full monthly payment, not just your target price. Know what cash you want to keep in reserve after closing. Look carefully at how long homes are sitting, whether sellers have made price reductions, and where negotiation opportunities may exist.

Most importantly, work with an agent who is actually thinking about the full deal, not just getting you into escrow.

That means looking at purchase price, credits, repairs, inspection leverage, appraisal strategy, and overall affordability together. It means understanding when to push, when to hold, and when a seller is likely to work with you. It also means recognizing that the right home is not always the flashiest one. Sometimes it is the one with the best terms, the best long-term value, and the most room to negotiate.

Final Thoughts

The current market is not perfect, but for many buyers, it is more favorable than it has been in quite some time.

Inventory is up. Affordability has improved compared to last year. Buyer demand remains softer than many sellers expected. Nationally, there are significantly more sellers than buyers, and that is creating the kind of environment where negotiation matters again. Buyers may have more room to negotiate price, request repairs, and ask sellers to help cover closing costs.

For buyers who are prepared and strategic, that can translate into real advantage.

And if your goal is not just to buy a home, but to buy one in a way that makes financial sense, this kind of market is worth taking seriously.

If you are buying in the Valley or greater Los Angeles area and want to understand what opportunities may exist in today’s market, reach out to Vanessa Brink. Her approach is centered on helping buyers understand what they can actually afford, negotiate smart, and lower upfront costs wherever possible.