I would keep my eye on how close homes closed to asking.
For negotiations in Mechanicville, NY, the number I would not ignore is the sold-to-list figure. Last month, homes closed at 99.8% of asking, which tells me buyers were not getting much extra room at the finish line. That is a useful signal for both sides of the table.
A close-to-asking closing figure means I would avoid assuming room for a wide discount. It also means sellers should not expect a casual pricing mistake to disappear on its own.
The faster sale pace reinforces the same message. When a home takes a typical 5 days to sell, the market is telling both sides to be ready early and be specific about the terms they want.
Lead with clarity. Know your terms before you engage, and keep your decisions tied to the most recent closings.
