Recent housing data is offering buyers more room to negotiate—a shift I’m seeing firsthand across the Augusta area and our neighboring South Carolina communities. In late Q3, approximately 21% of active listings saw price cuts, and inventory climbed to over 1.16 million homes—just about 9% shy of what we’d expect pre-pandemic. Despite these changes, buyer activity remained measured: homes under contract dropped about 4% year-over-year for the second month running, as higher mortgage rates continued to affect affordability.
The national median list price hovered around $419,000, down roughly 1% both month-over-month and year-over-year, marking nearly a year of modest declines. Price per square foot also slipped by about 2% compared to last year. Sellers have largely stayed engaged, with only about 6% of listings being delisted—steady with last year—while more owners are choosing to adjust prices, opening the door for negotiation.
As someone who prioritizes transparency and tailored strategies, I’m watching closely to see if these additional price cuts will spark more buyer commitments, or if increased supply and cautious demand will further extend this adjustment period. My goal is always to help clients navigate these shifts thoughtfully, maximizing value and clarity at every step.
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