Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?

Bidding Wars Are Cooling in Metro Detroit – What Buyers Should Know

If you’re still worried about facing a bidding war when buying a home in Metro Detroit, Northville, Novi, South Lyon, or Plymouth, you can breathe easier.

While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared completely, they’re nowhere near as common as they used to be. A recent survey shows that in June 2025, only 1 in 5 homes (20%) nationwide received multiple offers, down from 31% a year ago and 39% in June 2023.

What This Means for Metro Detroit Buyers

This trend means you’ll likely face less competition when shopping for homes in the Metro Detroit area. That gives you more time to make confident decisions and the ability to negotiate better on price or terms.

But keep in mind, every market is unique. In some regions, low housing inventory still drives multiple offers. Locally, though, areas like Northville, Novi, South Lyon, and Plymouth are seeing more balance, creating new opportunities for buyers.

Sellers Are Becoming More Flexible

Another major shift is that sellers are more willing to make concessions. According to Redfin, nearly half of sellers nationally are now covering buyer closing costs, reducing their list price, or offering other incentives to get their home sold.

That’s a big change from just a few years ago, when bidding wars were the norm, sellers rarely budged, and buyers often waived inspections or appraisals to compete. Today’s housing market is far more flexible and buyer-friendly.

Bottom Line

If concerns about bidding wars have kept you from buying, now may be the time to take another look. Competition is down, sellers are negotiating, and buyers in Metro Detroit have more leverage than they’ve had in years.