Should You Still Expect a Bidding War in Today’s Housing Market?

If you’re getting ready to buy a home in 2025, you might be asking: “Will I still face a bidding war?” The good news is, in most markets, the days of extreme competition are slowing down.  But it really depends on what is happening in the local Charlottesville Real Estate Market.

According to a recent national survey, only 1 in 5 homes (20%) received multiple offers in June 2025. That’s a big shift compared to last year, when nearly 1 in 3 homes (31%) sparked bidding wars, and a dramatic drop from 39% in June 2023.

For today’s buyers, this trend means less competition, more negotiating room, and more time to make confident decisions. 

Regional Housing Market Differences

While national numbers tell part of the story, real estate is local. Data from John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM) shows how bidding activity varies across U.S. regions:

• Northeast Housing Market 2025: Still competitive, with 34% of homes receiving multiple offers (about 1 in 3).

• Southeast Housing Market 2025: Much cooler, with only 6% of homes getting multiple offers.

Why the difference? It often comes down to housing inventory. Regions with fewer homes for sale are still experiencing competition, while markets with more listings are seeing a noticeable drop in bidding wars. 

Sellers Are Offering More Concessions

Another major change in today’s real estate market: seller concessions are becoming the norm.

A recent Redfin report shows that almost half of sellers are offering incentives like covering buyer closing costs, reducing list prices, or offering credits for repairs.

This is a huge contrast to the ultra-competitive housing market just a few years ago, when buyers waived inspections and appraisals to win bidding wars. Today, buyers have more leverage and flexibility than they’ve had in years.

What about the Charlottesville Market?

In Charlottesville, competition remains surprisingly intense, especially in highly desirable neighborhoods, properties often attract multiple offers, some with waived contingencies (a sign of continued bidding‑war pressure). It really does depend on the location and the condition of the home. That said, there are promising signs of softening: active listings have jumped nearly 46% year‑over‑year, giving buyers more options. Additionally, data from June 2025 shows an uptick in new listings across Charlottesville and Albemarle County, though contracts and days on market have edged longer, from a median of 5 days to about 7 days, signaling buyers may face slightly less frenetic competition.

While bidding wars haven't vanished in Charlottesville, the market is showing signs of easing. Increased inventory and slightly longer time on market mean buyers still need to act swiftly but may now have more breathing room and negotiation power than in recent frenzied years.

Bottom Line for Buyers in 2025

If worries about bidding wars have kept you on the sidelines, now may be the time to re-enter the market.

• Competition is down nationwide.

• Sellers are more flexible with concessions.

• Local housing inventory will determine how competitive your area really is.

Working with a local real estate agent is the best way to understand what’s happening in your market and create a strategy that helps you buy with confidence.  Please reach out to us at the Denise Ramey Team, we can help!