Why Fall Could Be the Best Time to Buy a Home
Hot take: Peak homebuying season might be overrated.
Sure, summer makes sense if you have kids in school. But if you wait until fall, patience often pays off. With less competition in the market, buyers gain more negotiating power.
And this year, fall buyers have an extra advantage: growing inventory. Housing supply hasn’t been this strong since May 2020. If you didn’t land a home during your summer search, don’t worry — this fall could be the best buying window in the past five years. Here’s why.
Competition Has Cooled
In 2021 and 2022, buying a home felt impossible. Few homes were listed, and when a good one appeared, frenzied bidding wars broke out. Sellers held all the cards.
That’s no longer the case. The market is shifting, and buyers now have more leverage. Joel Berner, senior economist at Realtor.com, calls it a “buyer-friendly balanced market.” Sellers who try to price homes like it’s still 2022 are often forced to reduce prices or negotiate.
With the right buyer’s agent, you could negotiate a lower purchase price, request repairs, or even adjust closing terms to fit your schedule. While you might not get everything you ask for, you’ll likely have more flexibility than in years past.
More People Are Finally Moving
After years of waiting out mortgage rate changes, many families are adjusting to today’s 6–7% range. Life events — job changes, upsizing, downsizing — don’t always wait for perfect conditions.
According to the National Association of Realtors, housing supply reached 4.6 months’ worth of homes in July 2025 — the highest since before the pandemic. Translation? More options for buyers, and less pressure to rush.
Momentum also fuels confidence. When people see friends and family buying homes, it sparks their own decisions. As real estate agent Alexa Weber explains, once buyers notice more homes going under contract, they feel confident to act too.
But here’s the kicker: when mortgage rates eventually drop, even more buyers will re-enter the market, raising competition. Acting now could give you the edge.
Prices May Be Leveling
Yes, affordability is still tough. Home prices have risen more than 55% since early 2020, while wages climbed only 26%. In July 2025, the median home price was $422,400, and values have been climbing for 25 straight months.
But the growth is slowing. The July year-over-year increase was just 0.2% — with many local markets actually seeing price drops. In the fall, sellers often reduce prices for homes that have sat too long. On top of that, you might save on moving costs during the off-season.
Mortgage Rates Could Ease
The wild card is mortgage rates. Forecasts suggest slight drops by the end of 2025, with Fannie Mae predicting 6.5% and the Mortgage Bankers Association expecting 6.6%.
Even small changes matter — a fraction of a percentage point can lower monthly payments or boost buying power. And if rates dip further in the future, you can always refinance.
The key is not to overthink timing. If a home fits your needs and your budget, that’s the green light.
Bottom Line
Fall 2025 is shaping up to be the most buyer-friendly market since the pandemic. With more inventory, less competition, and the potential for price breaks, now could be the smart time to make your move.
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👉 Start by checking your free credit score with CreditVana today — and step into the fall housing market with confidence.
