Why Fall Can Be a Great Time to Buy a Home
You've been waiting for something to change before you buy. It just might not be the thing you expected…
While everyone’s paying attention to mortgage rates, only the savviest buyers know that the changing season can start tipping things in their favor.
Because every fall, buyers tend to get more to choose from, better prices, and more room to negotiate. And that’s why Hannah Jones, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says:
“We always see that the best time to buy window usually falls in the early fall around October.”
And that’s exactly why, if you've been waiting for a better moment to buy, this season may be worth a closer look – even with rates where they are.
Why Fall Could Be the Best Time To Buy a Home
Mortgage rates get most of the attention, but fall can bring some important changes for home buyers too. Historically, buyers may see more homes to choose from, lower asking prices, and sellers who are more willing to negotiate as the end of the year approaches. If affordability has kept you on the sidelines, the seasonal shift could create opportunities that weren’t there a few months ago.
Everyone's been watching mortgage rates this year. But there's another thing buyers should be paying attention to – and that’s the season change.
Historically, every fall, the housing market shifts in a few predictable ways. Buyers tend to get more homes to choose from, asking prices come down, and sellers are more willing to negotiate because they want to strike up a deal before year end.
And if affordability has been holding you back, those seasonal shifts are worth paying attention to.
They may not solve every challenge, but they could make buying feel a little more within reach than it did just a few months ago. So if you've been waiting for the "perfect" time to buy, don't overlook what fall has to offer.
Reach out to The Kombrink Team and let's talk about what's happening in our market and if a move this season could make sense after all.
1. There Are More Homes To Choose From
One of the biggest frustrations buyers have had over the past few years has been a lack of choices. Fall tends to help with that.
Based on seasonal trends, Realtor.com data shows there are typically more homes available for sale in September through November than during any other season of the year (see graph below):
Why does this happen? Homes that hit the market in spring and summer don't all close right away. Some sit. New listings keep coming. And inventory builds as the year goes on.
By fall, you're looking at the largest pool of available homes all year. That makes it easier to find one that works for your needs and your budget. And if anything, this should be more true this year. Rates that are higher for longer tend to help inventory grow even more.
More choices can mean fewer compromises. You’re more likely to find the right home, not just the one that happens to be available.
2. Asking Prices Start To Drop
Having more choices is great. But if every home is still priced too high, that only gets you so far. That's where fall's second advantage kicks in: asking prices start their seasonal decline.
HousingWire data shows this trend over time (see graph below):
It works like this. Spring and early summer are when sellers feel the most confident because that's when demand is typically strongest. So, many homeowners price their homes higher during those periods because of the uptick in demand.
But every year, like clockwork, that dynamic starts to change by fall. Buyer activity slows down as the weather cools off. So, sellers have to price a bit lower to try to draw buyers in. And that’s good for your bottom line.
3. More Sellers Are Willing To Negotiate
But fall doesn't just bring more choices and lower asking prices. It also brings more sellers who are increasingly motivated to get a deal done.
You can see it in the data. Most years, fall is when price cuts peak according to Realtor.com data (see graph below):
While it’s not a big difference from summer, this fall you’ll have more negotiation power than you’d have if you wait until the first half of 2027. Here’s why.
If a home is on the market in the fall, many sellers are eager to get it sold before the holidays. And since there are usually fewer buyers active in the fall, that often leads to another opportunity to snag a better deal. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:
“Less competition can lead to better deals. While homes are not selling as fast as during the summer, sellers may be more willing to negotiate.”
Even a small seller compromise here can make a meaningful difference for you.
As an example, a 5% price drop on a $500,000 home is $25,000. That could mean you end up borrowing less, keeping more money in savings, having room in the budget for updates after you move in, or simply making the monthly payment feel more manageable.
Bottom Line
Of course, every market moves a little differently. But here's what doesn't change: Fall consistently buyers. More homes. Lower asking prices. Motivated sellers.
If you’ve been waiting for your search to feel a little more doable, this season may be worth another look.
Let’s have a quick conversation about what's happening in our market and see whether this fall gives you opportunities you may not have had a few months ago.
Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.
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