How Bay Area Homebuyers Can Score the Best Deal Right Now

Looking to find the best deal on a home in the Bay Area? Here’s the key: focus on homes that have been sitting on the market for a while.

Homes that linger often come with motivated sellers who are more willing to negotiate—and that’s where savvy buyers are finding opportunities others overlook.

Why This Works: Price Cuts Are Becoming More Common

According to Realtor.com, about 1 in 5 homes nationwide (20.2%) have had at least one price drop this year. While the housing market varies by region, Bay Area buyers are seeing similar trends, especially in slower neighborhoods or higher-priced markets.

This means there’s real potential to get more value for your money—you just need to know where to look, and that’s where a real estate agent, like us, becomes essential.

The Smart Tactic: Target Homes That Have Been on the Market Longer

We can help you identify listings that have stayed on the market the longest. These are often the homes where sellers:

• Are frustrated by slow activity

• May be more willing to negotiate price or terms

• Face less competition from other buyers

As Realtor.com points out:

“Less competition means fewer bidding wars and more power to negotiate the extras that add up: closing cost credits, home warranties, even repair concessions…these concessions can end up knocking thousands of dollars off the price of a home.”

Bankrate also highlights the seasonal opportunity:

“During the quieter fall and winter months, when fewer prospective buyers are shopping, home sellers may be more willing to lower their prices, or offer concessions, to attract those prospective buyers who are still looking.”

The data supports this approach. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that the longer a home sits on the market, the more likely it is to sell below the original asking price.

Even Small Discounts Add Up in the Bay Area

Even a modest reduction—say, paying 94% of the original asking price—can translate into thousands of dollars saved on a median-priced Bay Area home. For example, that could be around $24,000 in potential savings.

Zillow sums it up clearly:

“If you’re a buyer hoping to strike a deal, look for homes that have been on the market for a while and that may already have lowered prices to entice buyers. You may find a motivated seller who is more willing to negotiate.”

Bottom Line

If you want to get the best deal on a home in the Bay Area, start by looking where others aren’t.

With 1 in 5 sellers cutting prices and many becoming more flexible by the week, homes that have been sitting a little longer could be your best opportunity to save big—and even score extra perks.

Ready to find these hidden gems in the Bay Area? Let’s talk about where to look and how to position your offer for success.

Insights originally shared by Keeping Current Matters. Local perspective and commentary by Yvonne Yang, Top Bay Area Realtor®.