Mortgage rates are still high. Home prices continue to climb. The Fed isn’t offering any relief. So, is now really the best time to buy a home in Rhode Island? According to real estate legend Barbara Corcoran, the answer is yes — and here’s why.

When the market feels uncertain, most buyers freeze. But Barbara Corcoran — the real estate mogul who turned $1,000 into a multi-million-dollar empire — sees that hesitation as the ultimate buying opportunity. In her words: “When things are uncertain, buyers hesitate... That makes uncertain markets the best time to buy!”

At the Slocum Home Team, we agree. If you’re looking to buy a home in Warwick, East Greenwich, Cranston, Coventry, North Kingstown, Providence, or anywhere in Rhode Island, this might be your moment. Here are Barbara’s three key buying signals that say it’s time to stop waiting and start house hunting.

1. You Can Buy Below Market Value

In slower markets, competition cools down. That means more inventory, longer days on market, and sellers who are willing to negotiate. According to Realtor.com’s April 2025 Housing Report:

• Inventory is up 30.6% year over year

• Pending sales are down 3.2%

• More sellers are cutting prices or open to negotiation

Here in Rhode Island, we’re seeing similar trends. In fact, inventory statewide jumped nearly 47% from February to May, according to MLS data.

This shift means you might be able to purchase a home below market value — and as Barbara says, “Anything bought below market will prove a good investment.”

If you’re buying a home in Central Rhode Island, this is your moment to be bold. The homes that didn’t sell in last year’s frenzy are now sitting — and sellers are getting motivated.

2. Sellers Are Coming Back to the Table

In a hot market, sellers call the shots. But in an uncertain one, that power dynamic shifts. As Corcoran puts it: "I'm happy to report that sellers who turned me away four months ago are calling me back."

We’re seeing this right now across Warwick and East Greenwich. Homes that were previously overpriced are now being relisted at more realistic prices, and many sellers are:

• Covering closing costs

• Offering repair credits

• Offering buyer agent compensation

• Accepting terms they never would have a year ago

The key is this: Don’t assume a past rejection is the end of the story. Reach back out. Ask again. Make the offer. You might find more flexibility than you think.

3. The Market Feels “Spooky”

Higher interest rates, a polarized political climate, and fear of overpaying can make any buyer hesitate. But Barbara Corcoran says that gut feeling of discomfort is a signal — not a stop sign.

“In the spooky economic and political market we’re experiencing, there are great deals to be had — you just have to get off your butt and make an offer!”

Here in Rhode Island, the median sale price for single-family homes rose nearly 6% year-over-year when comparing the first quarter of this year to the first quarter of last year, hitting $465,000 in 2024. Yes, that sounds high. But waiting for prices to drop could mean missing out on years of equity growth.

Plus, in cities like Cranston, Coventry, and North Kingstown, we’re still seeing homes appreciate steadily. Trying to time the bottom rarely works. Buying when others are hesitant? That’s the Corcoran way.

As she famously said: “I’ve overpaid for almost every piece of property I’ve bought. If I like it, I buy it, and I don’t live to regret it!”

Final Takeaway from the Slocum Home Team

Barbara Corcoran built an empire by buying when others were scared. Her three signs are flashing right now:

• Prices are negotiable

• Sellers are more flexible

• Uncertainty is creating rare buying windows

If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” time, this may be it. Especially if you plan to stay in your home for 5+ years, buying now could mean building long-term wealth while others stay on the sidelines.

At the Slocum Home Team, we specialize in helping buyers like you navigate uncertainty with confidence. Whether you’re eyeing Providence, Warwick, or anywhere in between, let’s talk strategy.

Contact Nick Slocum or one of The Slocum Home Team’s top agents today to make your next move a smart one.