The Market’s Cracking—But That’s Your Shot to Buy Smart in 2025

The market’s showing some cracks… but before you panic, grab a flashlight. Because what looks like a breakdown might just be your breakthrough.

There’s a shift happening. Headlines are whispering “softening.” Listings are up. Homes are sitting. And for the first time in a long time… buyers are holding the cards.

If you’ve been waiting for your moment to finally buy without the pressure, the bidding wars, and the “blink-and-it’s-gone” panic—this is it.

In this episode, Certified Mortgage Advisor & Raleigh Mortgage Broker Kevin Martini breaks down:

• Why a 1% dip in home prices is a huge deal

• What today’s housing slowdown really means (hint: it’s not 2008)

• The negotiation moves buyers can finally make again

• How to win before house-hunting even begins

• And why renting might be the most expensive comfort zone of your life

⚠️ Don’t wait for “perfect.” That moment doesn’t exist. But a smart plan does.

🎯 This is the episode you’ll wish your friend heard—so share it with them now.

Kevin Martini | NMLS 143962 | Certified Mortgage Advisor | Martini Mortgage Group at Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group, Corporation | NMLS # 3446 | 507 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604 | [phone] | www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com | [e-mail] | Equal Housing Lender

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
You probably heard the whispers maybe even seen the headlines.

(00:05):
The housing market softens, prices dip for the first time in the decade and let me tell
you something.
That little crack you're seeing that might just be the opportunity you've been waiting
for.
No, this isn't 2008 but it is a shift and for the first time in a very long time the

(00:29):
winds might finally be blowing in the buyer's direction.
Now Zillow and Redfin both recently forecasted a national price dip of about 1% for 2025.
That might not sound like much but is the first annual decline in home prices since 2011.

(00:53):
Translation?
This is not business as usual.
Now don't get me wrong, there's still a hyper local market.
What's happening in Tampa is not what's happening in Raleigh, North Carolina but nationally
the trend is clear.
More homes, longer days on the market and yes softer home prices.

(01:21):
And that it's not bad news.
That's leverage.
And Tori is up.
Now according to Redfin the number of homes for sale currently surged 17% year over year.
That means more options, less pressure and yes more negotiating power for you.

(01:46):
Homes are sitting a little longer, sellers are getting nervous and for the first time in
a while buyers are calling more of the shots.
You can ask for repairs, you can negotiate price, you can even get seller credits to help
you buy down your mortgage rate.

(02:08):
Let me say that again for the people in the back.
You can negotiate like a pro in today's housing market but here's the catch.
That only works if you start with the right plan.
And that plan doesn't start with the house.
It starts with the home loan.
Your first step is clarity.

(02:30):
Knowing what you qualify for, what you can comfortably afford and what your options look like
before you start house hunting.
Because walking in with the same as cash approval package from the martini mortgage group
is how you win before the game even starts.

(02:51):
Now let's talk affordability.
It is still tough out there.
Yes it's getting better than it was last year.
Also yes wage growth is up about 4% home prices basically flat and to that a slight softening

(03:15):
in mortgage rates.
And you got a market that's inching closer to buyer friendly territory.
In fact a recent Fannie Mae home price expectation survey showed that even the bearish analyst
expires prices to rise long term.

(03:37):
So if you're sitting on the sidelines hoping to time the perfect moment here's the truth.
You don't need perfect conditions.
You need a smart game plan because this window of opportunity is not going to last forever.
Let's play something up right now.

(03:59):
This isn't a housing crash.
This is deceleration.
Sellers who bought at the peak are trying to hold their price but the market doesn't care
what they want to make.
Biers are sitting.
Biers are backing out in April alone over 50,000 contracts were canceled.

(04:21):
Now why is this?
Because buyers have options now.
They're walking if the deal doesn't feel right.
They're playing offense instead of defense.
So if you're buying in 2025 this is your advantage.
There are motivated sellers out there.
You don't have the search for a deal behind the scenes.

(04:43):
You just have to find the four sales side.
Let's be real.
Renting might feel safe.
But let's do the math.
$2,000 a month in rent.
That's $24,000 a year.
In five years you paid $120,000 to help someone else build wealth.

(05:05):
Not you.
A mortgage?
That's a fixed payment building equity and long term wealth.
On your terms.
Even if rates seem high now you can refinance later but that rent it only goes one direction.
So if you're waiting for some magical moment to buy your first home here's a secret.

(05:32):
It doesn't exist.
What does exist?
A strategy tailored to your timeline, your budget and your life.
If you thought it was too late or too competitive, think again.
This isn't a market to fear.
It's a market to understand.

(05:52):
Because my home buyers today, they're negotiating.
They're getting credits and they're walking away from bad deals.
You don't have to time the market.
You just have to time your life.
So if you're wanting clarity on what's possible for you, not someday but right now let's talk.

(06:16):
I'm Kevin Martini and I'm a certified mortgage advisor with the Martini Mortgage Group.
And we take a fiduciary approach with the people we help.
I don't just do loans.
I build strategies because your interest is my only interest.
I invite you to call me personally by dialing 919-238-4934.

(06:42):
Again, my number is 919-238-4934.
Remember, there is no market that will ever give you certainty but a clear plan will all