June’s Pending Home Sales Index is weak by most measures, but if you’re a home buyer, the headlines aren’t so bad. Fewer home sales can push negotiation leverage to the buy-side of a transaction.

On the surface, May’s Pending Home Sales Index looks terrible for housing. And, if you’re a seller, it just might be. But, if you’re a buyer, the story reads differently. Just consider the market conditions.

April marks the third straight month that pending home sales are up and today’s buyers should take note. This is because, according to the National Association of Realtors®, 80% of homes under contract close within 60 days.

Today’s home buyers should consider making offer sooner rather than later. Looking at the data, it appears the best time to have found a “deal” on a home may have been in February.

As expected, the Pending Home Sales shot higher in February, boosted by the federal home buyer tax credit’s April 30 deadline.

Fewer homes went under contract in January as the housing market continues to limp through the winter months. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the Pending Home Sales Index fell to its lowest level in 3 quarters this January. By contrast, in October 2009, the index had touched a 3-year high.