How Much Negotiating Power Do Dallas Homebuyers Really Have Now?
- Morgan Schneider
- Oct 23
- 5 min read
How much negotiating power do Dallas homebuyers have right now? In today’s market, local buyers, from Highland Park to University Park and Lakewood, are gaining leverage. With more homes sitting longer and price adjustments becoming common, you now have more room to negotiate on both price and terms across many parts of central Dallas.
How much negotiating power do Dallas homebuyers have right now? Inventory Is Rising and So Is Buyer Power
After years of low supply and sky-high competition, Dallas buyers finally have options again. According to D Magazine and the Texas Real Estate Research Center, listings citywide have increased roughly 22% in 2025 compared to last fall. Average market time has risen to about 88 days, which means sellers can no longer expect the quick, multiple-offer situations that defined the last few years.
Sellers who priced ambitiously in neighborhoods like Lakewood or Oak Lawn are now more willing to offer buyer concessions, rate buy-downs, closing cost credits, or assistance with inspection repairs, to keep deals from falling through. That dynamic has returned meaningful leverage to well-prepared buyers.
As Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass explains, “Buyers have started walking away from overpriced listings again. That’s how you know balance is back. The data supports confident, informed negotiation.”
Highland Park: The Luxury Market Cools Slightly
Highland Park remains one of the most stable and exclusive zip codes in Dallas, but even at the top end of the market, buyer behavior has changed. The median home value sits around $2.8 to $4 million depending on the data source, but price growth has slowed, and average days on the market are approaching 60 to 70 days, up from just over 40 days last year. redfin+2
Homes here typically sell about 3–4% below list price, and motivated sellers are now accepting contingencies again, something rare in this area during the post-pandemic boom. According to Redfin’s fall update, some Highland Park listings have taken as long as 67 days to go under contract, reflecting a small but noticeable cooling. redfin
That cooling, however, doesn’t mean panic. Ultra-luxury homes in Highland Park still command top dollar when properly priced. But as Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass notes, “Even in Highland Park, top buyers are negotiating smartly. Sellers who know they’re competing for a smaller, more discerning pool of buyers are adjusting their expectations.”
University Park: High Demand, Slower Closings
University Park mirrors its neighbor’s dynamics but shows even clearer signs of negotiation power shifting. Median home prices hover around $2.3 million, up modestly about 3% year over year, but listings have nearly doubled since 2024. The average sale closes roughly 3% below asking, and many homes now stay active for 75 to 100 days.
Buyers eager for quality construction near Highland Park Independent School District campuses are benefiting from the slowdown. Rate buy-downs, flexible closing timelines, and inspection concessions have become common in this pocket. Sellers know that despite location desirability, the market’s cooled pace means patience now matters as much as price.
This is an ideal setting for disciplined negotiation—precisely where experienced local guidance from Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass pays off.
Lakewood and the M Streets: Price Sensitive and Competitive
East Dallas neighborhoods like Lakewood, Lower Greenville, and the M Streets have transitioned fastest from a seller’s market to a balanced one. The median price in these areas currently sits around $420,000, about 4% below last year’s figure, according to regional MLS data. Listings that had routinely generated bidding wars in 2022 and 2023 are now sitting two to three weeks longer.
The opportunity for you as a buyer lies in that gap. Homes needing cosmetic updates are routinely seeing price cuts of 5-10%. Sellers who must relocate or downsize sooner are offering closing flexibility or repair credits instead of dropping prices further.
As Morgan explains, “Lakewood and the M Streets are where informed buyers can win right now. The balance of lifestyle desirability and increasing inventory means buyers who act decisively can secure real value.”
Uptown and Oak Lawn: Negotiating Returns to the Condos
For condo and townhome buyers, particularly in Uptown and Oak Lawn, 2025 has brought the return of bargaining power. With more listings and fewer out-of-state investors than a year ago, sellers are making practical adjustments. Condo inventory is up about 18%, and median prices, now around $430,000, are flattening after several years of aggressive appreciation.
Buyers who once had to waive inspection contingencies or offer over asking are now negotiating seller-paid HOA dues or covering minor repairs pre-closing. These concessions can add up to thousands in value, offering a smoother entry point into prime urban living near Katy Trail, Lemmon Avenue, and Turtle Creek.
Preston Hollow: Custom Homes Taking Longer to Move
Preston Hollow is showing classic mid-luxury market behavior, strong long-term value but slower liquidity. Median prices average about $1.8 million while days on market hover near 90, according to recent Dallas Luxury Realty data. New-build and remodeled homes remain sought after, but older luxury properties requiring updates are taking time to attract the right buyers. dallasluxuryrealty
Negotiation here can center on post-closing remodel allowances, furnishings, or even landscaping credits, amenities that were virtually off the table during the market’s peak run.
Key Buyer Strategies for 2025
With more power shifting back into buyers’ hands across Dallas neighborhoods, working strategically has never been more important:
Time your offers. Listings sitting 30+ days are statistically more open to negotiation.
Request concessions. Many sellers are now offering 2-3% in buyer incentives.
Study days on market. If a luxury property in Highland Park or Lakewood crosses 60 days, it’s often a sign of overpricing.
Work locally. Each Dallas neighborhood- Highland Park, University Park, Lakewood, Uptown- has its own rhythm. Hyper-local insight matters.
Through her expertise and deep neighborhood knowledge, Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass helps buyers align timing, financing, and negotiation leverage for maximum value.
The Bottom Line
Buyer confidence is rising again in central Dallas. From the tree-lined streets of Highland Park and University Park to the historic homes of Lakewood and the sleek high-rises of Uptown, nearly every pocket of the city is transitioning toward balance.
You no longer need to overbid to secure a home you love. You can pause, analyze, and negotiate strategically, with expert guidance that understands the nuance between a Highland Park estate and an Oak Lawn condo.
If you’re ready to explore opportunities in Dallas’s most desirable neighborhoods, reach out to Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass for a personalized, data-driven strategy to make today’s market work to your advantage.
Buyer leverage is back in Dallas. Explore how negotiation power has shifted across Highland Park, University Park, Lakewood, and Uptown with Morgan Schneider with Schneider Realty Group at Compass.
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