01/28/2026
Why More Homebuyers Are Walking Away After Saying Yes
Homebuyers are canceling contracts at the highest rate in nearly a decade. In December alone, about 16% of all homes that went under contract were canceled. That’s a big signal that buyers are becoming more cautious.
With nearly 47% more sellers than buyers on the market, buyers have more leverage. Once inspections, insurance quotes, and real mortgage payments come into focus, many deals stop making financial sense. Small surprises now feel much bigger when affordability is already stretched.
This trend usually leads to:
• More price reductions
• More seller concessions
• Homes staying on the market longer
For buyers, it means stronger negotiating power.
For sellers, it means pricing realistically from the start matters more than ever.
The market is shifting from urgency to hesitation, and confidence is now just as important as interest rates.