Solano County has hit six months of inventory. Here's what that actually means for your wallet — and how to put the seller's money to work for you.
Real estate runs on a simple clock called months of supply — how long it would take to sell every home currently for sale at today's pace. It's the clearest gauge of who holds the leverage.
Most buyers think negotiating means knocking down the price. In a buyer's market, the smarter move is often to negotiate the seller's cash — having them pay costs that lower what you bring to closing and what you pay each month.
Have the seller cover thousands in lender, title, and escrow fees — so you bring less cash to the table and keep more of your savings.
A 2-1 buydown drops your rate 2% in year one and 1% in year two — funded by the seller. That's hundreds off your monthly payment while you settle in.
Negotiate permanent buydown points to lower your rate for the life of the loan, or credits for repairs — all paid by the seller.
Imagine a $600,000 home. Instead of pushing only for a lower price, you negotiate a $15,000 seller credit. Part funds a 2-1 temporary buydown that lowers your rate in the early years; the rest covers your closing costs. The result: less cash up front and a lower monthly payment — all paid by the seller.
Figures are illustrative. A KW Vaca Valley agent can model exact numbers for your price range, loan type, and current rates.
This all comes down to one thing: supply and demand. Fewer buyers means lower prices and motivated sellers. More buyers means competition, bidding wars, and rising prices. Right now, higher rates are keeping buyers on the sidelines — but that won't last.
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