What the 2025 Real Estate Taught Me

This year was another interesting year in real estate, and presented its own unique lessons.

I bought my first house in 2007. I got my real estate license in 2008.

Years later, I heard the same refrain from people over and over again:

“I wish I had bought in 2008. Or 2009. Or 2010.”

What those years taught us is that some of the best buying opportunities show up when confidence is low, headlines are discouraging, and many buyers are sitting on the sidelines.

The value isn’t always clear in the moment, but it becomes clear with time.

In the last month, I’ve helped two buyers secure truly exceptional outcomes.

Here are 2 examples I negotiated in December for Buyers.

EXAMPLE 1 : BOSCOBEL ST

A historic charmer on Boscobel St with 3 bedrooms and a fenced yard.

The purchase price was $567,500,

and the seller provided $38,000 in concessions,

including a brand-new roof and a new sewer line.

EXAMPLE 1 : RUDOLPH AVE

A renovated historic home in Lockeland Springs with 5 bedrooms on Rudolph Ave.

For context, this home sold in 2023 for $1,125,000 and in 2020 for $1,115,000.

We contracted for $916,000.

On top of that already significant price reduction,

we negotiated an additional $20,000 in buyer closing costs.

Often the real “deal” doesn’t always show up in the market stats or even in the final sale price.

It shows up in concessions.

Here are the notable concessions we negotiated for our buyers this year.

All of this is to say: this moment matters.

Will prices rise again in 2026?

Will seller concessions be harder when competition increases in Spring?

No one can predict the future with certainty, but the early indicators suggest buyer activity is already returning. Existing-home sales have risen for three consecutive months, and declining mortgage rates are convincing more buyers to take action.

We may look back on this period the same way people now look back on times when they wish they had bought.

As a window of time that rewarded those who were prepared, strategic, and well-advised.

As always, my role is to help YOU understand where the opportunities truly are.

Kindly,

Wendy

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Why is 2025 so different from 2008?

Two very important facts.

🏡 Nearly 40% of US homes are owned outright

💰 Over half of mortgages are 4% or less

The market presented opportunities, but we were NOT awash in distressed sales

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After several challenging years,

the market is shifting.

Affordability is improving

the slow, steady way:

through stable home prices,

higher wages, and mortgage rates

that are lower.

✷ On a personal note, my family and I moved into our new home this month. I have a renewed appreciation for the incredible effort it takes to move all of your possessions and loved ones from one house to another.

Wendy Monday, Nashville Realtor

Buying or Selling in Nashville?

WENDY MONDAY • BROKER

Onward Real Estate

@wendymondaysellingnashville on socials

wendy@wendymonday.com

615.642.1313

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With over 17 years as a licensed Broker, Wendy Monday is an expert in the local real estate market.   Wendy and her husband JT live in Hillsboro Village with their son Wulf, and their family adores a walkable neighborhood.  Wendy is consistently one of the top selling agents in Nashville. Her Instagram account @wendymondaysellingnashville illustrates her passion for providing up-to-the-minute market knowledge.