It May Be A Buyer's Market But It's Not Easy

• October 28th

by UrbanTurf Staff

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A subtle but meaningful shift is underway in the Mid-Atlantic housing market as buyers continue to gain leverage, according to Bright MLS’s third-quarter 2025 survey of real estate agents.

Nearly 45% of buyers had their first offer accepted last quarter, according to the survey, up from about 40% a year ago; more than a third of buyers found their home within a month of searching. The takeaway: competition is easing, listings are staying on the market longer, and patient buyers are beginning to see opportunities that were virtually nonexistent just a year ago.

Still, it's not exactly an easy market. Many buyers entering the fray are doing so out of necessity rather than choice. The share of “discretionary” buyers — those purchasing because they’re tired of renting or simply want to own — dropped to 26.7%, down from 33% last year. Meanwhile, “moves of necessity” driven by life events like marriage, divorce, or job changes made up a growing share of purchases. Agents say today’s buyers are more deliberate, with financial concerns playing a central role in both the decision to buy and the type of home they pursue.

Economic uncertainty is also weighing heavily on market sentiment. In the third quarter, nearly 70% of agents said they worked with at least one client who paused their home search, most often citing high prices or job instability. Even buyers who make it to the offer stage aren’t guaranteed to close — 30% of agents said they’d had clients back out after inspections, a reminder that contingencies, once a casualty of pandemic-era bidding wars, are firmly back in play. Financing issues and appraisal gaps were far less common deal breakers, suggesting that buyers are using inspections as both a safety net and a negotiating tool.

Looking ahead, Mid-Atlantic agents expect a subdued close to 2025. Just 12.5% predict strong buyer activity in the fourth quarter — the lowest share since Bright began conducting these surveys in 2023.

Yet, even amid the slowdown, opportunity remains. With more homes priced below asking and a growing number of sellers offering repair credits or closing-cost assistance, buyers who stay active this fall could find favorable deals. 

This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/it_may_be_a_buyers_market_but_its_not_easy/24011.