“we simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful.”
— Warren Buffett, 1986 Berkshire Hathaway shareholder letter [1]
If you and I were sitting down to talk about buying a home right now, this is where I’d start. It’s easy to hear the uncertainty around interest rates and the economy and decide to wait until everything feels more comfortable. I understand that. A home is a big commitment.
But Buffett’s observation is worth thinking about. He was writing about investing, and I see a useful lesson for buyers: when uncertainty causes other people to hesitate, there may be room to negotiate a better deal. If you’re financially ready, that opportunity deserves a closer look.
Where I see an opening
Where I see an opening right now is in how long properties are staying on the market and what sellers are willing to do to get them sold. Homes are sitting much longer, and in the transactions I’m seeing go under contract, sellers are making meaningful concessions to bring buyers to the table. That can give us more room to negotiate a better price and terms that work for you. Every property is different, but motivated sellers are creating real opportunities for buyers in today’s market.
That gives us more to work with. We can compare homes, look closely at price reductions, and consider whether a seller has become more flexible. It still depends on the property: Montgomery County’s median sold price was up 1.8% from a year earlier. More inventory doesn’t make every home a bargain. [2]
Look at the whole deal
When we find a home you like, I want us to look beyond the asking price. Could we negotiate a lower price, help with closing costs, or repairs? Would a different settlement date help both you and the seller? We’ll look at comparable sales, condition, and competing offers before deciding what to ask for.
Those details can have a real financial impact. The illustration from my earlier article puts some numbers around what that could look like. [4]
Putting numbers around the opportunity
Let’s revisit the same hypothetical $600,000 home. Both examples assume 20% down and a 30-year fixed mortgage; the rates illustrate the tradeoff and are not current loan quotes.
Source: Russell Chandler, Redfin. Financial illustration from “Higher Rates, More Room to Negotiate?” October 7, 2026. [4]
What the numbers mean for you
In the negotiated example, you buy for $585,000 and receive an $8,775 seller credit toward eligible closing costs. The $15,000 price reduction and that credit add up to $23,775 in combined transaction benefit.
There’s a tradeoff: the higher rate leaves you paying about $168 more each month in principal and interest, even with the smaller loan. That $23,775 is not lifetime savings or a check you receive at closing. We need to weigh the upfront benefit against the financing cost and how long you expect to keep the loan.
That’s the conversation I want us to have. What could we negotiate, what would you need at closing, and would the full monthly payment fit comfortably? The illustration excludes taxes, insurance, and HOA dues. Seller credits require agreement and lender approval and are limited to eligible costs. [4]
Look past the next rate announcement
I understand why buyers watch the Fed. But the Fed doesn’t directly set 30-year mortgage rates. Longer-term financial markets and expectations about inflation and the economy also matter, so a Fed cut doesn’t guarantee a matching drop in your mortgage quote. [3]
Markets change. If borrowing costs ease and more buyers return, some of today’s negotiating room could narrow. We don’t know when that might happen. What we can do is evaluate the home, the terms, and the payment available to you now.
I want your purchase to work at today’s payment, including taxes, insurance, maintenance, and room for the unexpected. Refinancing later may be an option, but you shouldn’t need it to make the home affordable.
Let’s see whether the opportunity fits
For me, that’s the practical takeaway from Buffett’s words: an uneasy market can be worth a careful look. If you’re thinking about buying in Maryland or Washington, D.C., let’s talk through your plans and run the numbers together. We may find that today’s uncertainty gives you an opening worth taking.
Russell Chandler | Lead Agent – Associate Broker | Redfin
Call or text (240) 988-7609 | rchandlerhomes.com
Sources
[1] Warren Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway 1986 shareholder letter.
[2] The MoCo Show. GCAAR September 2026 housing figures. October 20, 2026.
[3] Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. What Determines Mortgage Rates. October 1, 2026.
[4] Russell Chandler, Redfin. “Higher Rates, More Room to Negotiate?” Financial illustration, October 7, 2026; local market observations shared October 28, 2026.
