Buyers protect themselves here by staying strategic, not by waiting forever.
If you are trying to buy in Troy, NY without overextending yourself, I would not tell you to freeze. I would tell you to get more selective and more prepared.
The market still rewards readiness. Last month, supply in Troy, NY stood at 1.05 months, and a typical sale took 31 days over the previous 30 days. That is not much room for indecision. At the same time, recent offers averaged 98.7% of asking, which tells me discipline still has a place.
I also look at where contracts are forming. Newly pending homes carried a typical asking price of $248,900, below the typical active asking price of $299,900. That tells me there may be stronger buyer traction in a more affordable band of the market. It is a useful signal if you are trying to avoid stretching into a price range where value gets less clear.
Focus on the segment where contracts are already forming. Decide in advance what price ceiling keeps the purchase comfortable for you. Move quickly when a home checks the right boxes, and skip the ones that require too much compromise at too high a number.
