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Cautious Cash
Fewer big checks, more careful moves—buyers are getting tactical
Splits and Caps Daily: Action for Agents
June 17, 2025
📈 Market Move:
Down Payment Dip
Alright, here’s the scoop: For the first time in nearly 2 years, homebuyer down payments are dropping. Not crashing—just a little dip. But like any small crack in the wall, it’s worth peeking through.
The typical down payment in April was ~$62K, about 1% less than last year. But it’s not just about the dollar amount—it’s the shift in buyer behavior. People are leaning into cheaper homes, leaning on FHA and VA loans more (which have lower down payment requirements), and maybe holding onto more cash because… well, the economy feels weird right now. Tariffs, inflation, vibes—take your pick.
Another factor? Power dynamics are changing. In a hotter market, sellers could sniff at anything less than 20% down. Now? With more homes sitting on the shelf, sellers are getting flexible.
One more thing: All-cash offers are still strong—hovering around 30%—but not growing. Translation? This is still a bifurcated market: high-end buyers flexing cash, everyone else playing it cautious.
So yeah, down payments dipping isn’t just a stat—it’s a vibe check on how buyers are adjusting to higher rates and economic jitters.
Bottom line: Less “go big or go home,” more “play it safe and get a home.”
🌟Quote of the Day:
"Your reputation is more important than your paycheck, and your integrity is worth more than your career." — Ryan Freitas
⚡ Quick Win:
Neighborhood Shoutout File: Build a list of 5-10 small businesses in your farm area. Each week, feature one in Stories or Reels. You get goodwill, they might share it, and it quietly positions you as the “local plug.”
🎉 Fun Fact of the Day:
Moving Mayhem: People Move an Average of 11.7 Times. The average American moves almost 12 times in their life. That’s 12 chances to question your furniture choices and misplace your air fryer.
📚 Book Recommendation:
“Invisible Influence” by Jonah Berger—You ever make a decision and think, “Yeah, that was 100% my choice”? Spoiler: it probably wasn’t.
This book is all about the hidden forces that shape our behavior — the stuff that nudges us, sways us, and makes us buy, post, or even dress a certain way without realizing why.
Berger breaks it down like a behavioral science ninja. Why we follow the crowd. Why we avoid the crowd. Why that agent in your office started crushing it after switching CRMs — and suddenly everyone else "independently" did the same thing.
If you’re in sales, marketing, or frankly, just trying to understand people better (yourself included), this one’s a no-brainer.
💡 TL;DR: You’re being influenced all the time. You can fight it… or you can leverage it.
Your next breakthrough probably looks like a Tuesday. Show up.
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