Redfin Reports Homebuyer Competition Drops to Lowest Level in Nearly a Year

Rhea-AI Summary

In November, 59.5% of home offers by Redfin agents faced competition, marking the lowest level in 11 months, down from 61.8% in October and a peak of 74.6% in April. Despite this decline, the rate remains above November 2020's 57.3%. Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather notes that typical seasonal patterns are influencing the market, with lower competition expected in winter. Richmond, VA, led bidding rates at 80%, followed by Salt Lake City at 73.8%. Buyers are becoming more cautious, no longer waiving inspections as readily, indicating a potential cooling in the housing market.

Positive

• Bidding-war rates remain above the previous year's level, suggesting sustained strong demand.
• Homebuyer competition is easing, providing buyers with more options and not feeling rushed.

Negative

• Home bidding competition dropped from a pandemic peak of 74.6% to 59.5%, indicating a potential slowdown.
• The overall trend of decreased competition may suggest weakening demand as the season winds down.

SEATTLE, Dec. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- (NASDAQ: RDFN) —In November, 59.5% of home offers written by Redfin agents faced competition, the lowest level in 11 months, according to a new report from Redfin (redfin.com), the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That's down from a revised rate of 61.8% in October and a pandemic peak of 74.6% in April, but up slightly from 57.3% in November 2020.

The housing market remains hotter than normal due to record-low mortgage rates and an acute shortage of homes for sale. But homebuyer demand seems to be following a typical seasonal pattern by starting to slow as the year winds down, according to Redfin Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather.

"It's typical for competition to ease in the winter months as more families take time off for the holidays," said Fairweather. "While competition waned in November, it was still higher than a year earlier, which is a sign that demand will be strong in the new year."

Richmond and Salt Lake City Have the Highest Bidding-War Rates

Richmond, VA had the highest bidding-war rate of the 44 U.S. metropolitan areas in this analysis, with 80% of offers written by Redfin agents facing competition in November. Next came Salt Lake City at 73.8% and San Diego at 72%. Honolulu, HI, and Dallas rounded out the top five, with bidding-war rates of 71.1% and 70.6%, respectively.

"Bidding wars are still happening, but buyers are starting to get more breathing room," said Jill Thompson, a Redfin agent in Indianapolis, where the bidding-war rate dropped to 36.8% in November from 73.6% in October.

"A few months ago, the typical home was going for $15,000 to $20,000—sometimes even $50,000—over the asking price. Buyers were paying cash, waiving inspection contingencies, and overlooking necessary repairs in order to win," Thompson continued. "Today, buyers are more cautious about overpaying, aren't waiving inspections as freely as they were in the spring, and feel less of a rush to commit to a house after the first tour."

To view the full report, including charts and methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/real-estate-bidding-wars-november-2021

About Redfin
Redfin (www.redfin.com) is a technology-powered real estate company. We help people find a place to live with brokerage, instant home-buying (iBuying), rentals, lending, title insurance, and renovations services. We sell homes for more money and charge half the fee. We also run the country's #1 real-estate brokerage site. Our home-buying customers see homes first with on-demand tours, and our lending and title services help them close quickly. Customers selling a home can take an instant cash offer from Redfin or have our renovations crew fix up their home to sell for top dollar. Our rentals business empowers millions nationwide to find apartments and houses for rent. Since launching in 2006, we've saved customers more than $1 billion in commissions. We serve more than 100 markets across the U.S. and Canada and employ over 6,000 people.

For more information or to contact a local Redfin real estate agent, visit www.redfin.com. To learn about housing market trends and download data, visit the Redfin Data Center. To be added to Redfin's press release distribution list, email press@redfin.com. To view Redfin's press center, click here.

 

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SOURCE Redfin

FAQ

What is the current bidding competition rate for Redfin in November 2021?

The bidding competition rate dropped to 59.5% in November 2021, the lowest in 11 months.

Which city had the highest bidding-war rates in November 2021?

Richmond, VA, had the highest bidding-war rate at 80%.

How has the bidding-war competition changed from October to November 2021?

Competition decreased from 61.8% in October to 59.5% in November 2021.

What factors are affecting the housing market according to Redfin's report?

Record-low mortgage rates and a shortage of homes for sale are keeping the market hotter than normal.

What does Redfin's Chief Economist say about future buyer demand?

Daryl Fairweather indicates that despite easing competition, demand will remain strong into the new year.