The Shifting Market: Buyers Gain Leverage

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Welcome to Coffee with Real Estate, where your host Susan and Kurt dive into the latest twists and turns of the housing market. In this episode, we’re exploring a major shift: homebuyers are gaining the upper hand for the first time in years. Listings are lingering longer, bidding wars are fading, and sellers are bending over backwards with contingencies and concessions—like waiting for buyers to sell their own homes before closing the deal. From Austin duplexes snagged below asking price to Florida’s inventory boom, we break down the data and share real-world stories that show how the tides are turning.

But it’s not all smooth sailing—prices are still climbing, with the national median hitting $396,900 in January, up nearly 5% from last year, while mortgage rates hover just below 7%. Susan and Kurt unpack why the gap between income and home prices persists, and what it means for buyers hunting for that perfect move-in-ready home in a top school district. We’ll also look at regional quirks, like why New Jersey still sees jaw-dropping over-ask offers while Buffalo sellers hold more cards in the winter chill. It’s a market in flux, and we’ve got the scoop on how buyers are navigating it.

Of course, it’s not all about bricks and mortar. Each episode, we brew up a fun side topic, and this time it’s a wild one: how flunking a personality test could tank your dream job. From quirky questions like “Do I lie to get out of trouble?” to employers secretly consulting astrologers or handwriting analysts, Susan and Kurt swap stories and weigh in on whether these oddball hiring trends make sense—or just add more stress to the job hunt. It’s a lighthearted detour that’s sure to spark some laughs and maybe a little self-reflection.

So grab your coffee and settle in for a chat that’s equal parts informative and entertaining. Whether you’re a buyer, seller, realtor, or just curious about where the market’s headed, Coffee with Real Estate has something for you. We’re dishing out practical insights, a few surprises, and a whole lot of fun—because who says real estate talk can’t come with a side of personality? Subscribe now, give us a thumbs-up, and join Susan and Kurt every episode as they sip, chat, and decode the wild world of homes and beyond.