U.S. home sellers offered concessions in 46.2% of home sales in May 2026, according to a Redfin data analysis. This percentage represents an increase from 43.1% in May 2025 and marks the highest share for that month in Redfin's records.

The analysis also indicated that 15.7% of U.S. home sales in May 2026 included both a seller concession and a price drop. This figure rose from 12.8% in May 2025 and stands as the highest share for the month of May on record. There were 47% more home sellers than buyers in the U.S. during May 2026.

Amanda Peterson, a Redfin Premier agent, stated, "There are two main reasons concessions are so prevalent: Buyers have leverage, and some sellers are pricing too high." She added, "With more inventory and less competition, buyers can be selective and negotiate for everything from repairs to closing costs." Peterson said, "Sellers–especially those with dated homes that haven't been renovated in decades–are increasingly willing to make concessions because they can be the difference between securing a buyer and leaving their listing sitting on the market." She also noted, "Some sellers are stuck in the mindset of the 2021 market, when they had the leverage; those sellers are often pricing too high, making concessions even more necessary to close a deal."

Nashville recorded the highest share of seller concessions among the 28 major U.S. metros analyzed in May 2026, with 75.5% of home sellers offering concessions. This increased from 61.8% in May 2025. Nashville also had more than twice as many sellers as buyers in May 2026. Other metros with high concession rates included Charlotte, N.C., with 71.4%, Atlanta with 68.7%, Phoenix with 65.6%, and Raleigh, N.C., with 64.1%.

The concession rate in Phoenix increased from 50.7% in May 2025 to 65.6% in May 2026. In Orlando, the concession rate grew from 38.3% in May 2025 to 58.6% in May 2026. Conversely, the concession rate declined in 11 of the 28 markets compared to May 2025.

New York had the lowest share of seller concessions at 2.9% in May 2026. San Jose, Calif., reported 5.9% concessions, a decrease from 11.6% in May 2025. San Francisco saw 14.9% of home sellers giving concessions, while Boston had 26.7% and Chicago had 27.5%. New York, Boston, and Chicago were categorized as balanced housing markets during this period. The concession rate in Seattle decreased from approximately 66% in May 2025 to 48.8% in May 2026. In San Diego, the concession rate declined from 68.3% in May 2025 to 62.3% in May 2026.