VALLEJO, Calif. - s4story -- See all those red dots? Those aren't measles. They're homes for sale in Vallejo. A recent Zillow search showed 222 single-family homes currently available in Vallejo, and that's before adding condos, townhomes, multi-unit properties and other residential options into the mix.

Buyers who remember the craziness of a few years ago, that number matters. Not too long ago, buyers were competing against multiple offers, waiving contingencies, offering above asking price and practically including their first-born child with the offer.

Today? Different ball game.

"Buyers have choices again," says Vallejo Realtor Bruno Versaci of Excel Realty & Mortgage. "That doesn't mean every seller is desperate and you can walk in offering fifty cents on the dollar. That's ridiculous. But it does mean buyers have something they haven't had much of in recent years: leverage."

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With more homes competing for attention, some Vallejo buyers are finding opportunities to negotiate on things that were much harder to ask for during the buying frenzy. That can include price reductions, seller credits toward closing costs, mortgage-rate buydowns, repair requests and in some cases, all the above.

Key Words: some cases. Well-priced homes in good condition can still sell quickly. Sellers are not suddenly giving houses away with a free toaster. But with more inventory, overpriced homes become much easier to ignore.

Versaci says today's buyers shouldn't focus on waiting for lower interest rates and more on whether the numbers make sense for their individual situation. "If you've been sitting on the sidelines because you thought buying a house still meant fighting with 14 other buyers to get your offer noticed, it may be worth taking another look," Versaci says. "That ship has sailed."

For sellers, the increase in available homes also sends a clear message: pricing and marketing matter. A seller is no longer competing against three other houses. Depending on the neighborhood and price range, they may be competing against dozens. "That's why throwing a sign in the yard, uploading the listing to the MLS and waiting for Zillow to perform a miracle isn't much of a marketing plan anymore," Versaci adds.

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For Vallejo buyers, it's simple: There are more choices. And with more choices comes negotiating power.

About Bruno Versaci

Bruno is a Bay Area Realtor specializing in strategic marketing, off-market opportunities, and helping buyers and sellers throughout the East Bay make smarter real estate decisions. His practical approach, straightforward advice and occasional dry humor have earned him the nickname, "The No BS Realtor." Check out his videos on YouTube by clicking here: https://rb.gy/u4gy9k