Hidden in yesterday's monthly market report was this new graph that explores the amount that sellers negotiate off of their asking prices.  As you can see, at the peak of the market (2005) sellers only negotiated 0.9% (on average) off of their asking price.

That metric has since fallen all the way down to 94.7% in 2011 --- well below the assumed normal of 97.4% in 2000, before the real estate market started taking off like a rocket.

The important thing to note, though, is that this metric is edging back upwards thus far in 2012 --- to an average of 95.4%.  That means that sellers are finding themselves negotiating less on their asking price because of gradual overall market improvements.

Sellers -- be encouraged that you won't be beat up as much on price as we move forward.

Buyers -- if you want to negotiate heavily on price, consider buying now, not next year.