Now that the buzz of summer has faded, fall can be a great moment to refocus on your home goals. Cooler temps, calmer weekends and a little less competition often make this season a smart time to shop, especially if you’re hoping to settle in before the holidays.
Melissa Dittmann Tracey, writing for HouseLogic.com, shares timely insights on why fall can work in buyers’ favor and how to make the most of the season.
Spring and summer often take the title as the peak home-buying seasons, but savvy shoppers know fall can offer great opportunities. A new study confirms it: Mid-October will be the hottest time of year for buyers, according to Realtor.com’s “2025 Best Time to Buy Report.”
Researchers are basing that prediction on seasonal patterns and data from 2018 through 2024, along with data collected so far in 2025. The week of Oct. 12, 2025, offered prime advantages for house hunters, and the surrounding weeks were almost as favorable.
Fall homebuying advantages
Realtor.com data details why fall might be the best to buy a home. Buyer-friendly conditions include more listings, lower prices, price cuts and less competition.
Real estate experts say fall brings distinct advantages for buyers. Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, notes that shoppers often face less pressure to act quickly than they do during the busy spring and summer months – a welcome change for first-time buyers who need more time to make decisions.
Alexa Kebalo, a real estate professional with eXp Realty and 2025 president-elect of Connecticut Realtors, adds that many who paused their search earlier in the year might see fall as an ideal moment to reenter the market.
“After summer vacations, people are settled and thinking, ‘I’m ready to make a move,’” she says.
Best fall homebuying tips
Fall is a unique season in real estate. Even though you’ll likely find fewer buyers and less competition, the most desirable homes can still generate fierce competition. Preparation, timing and market awareness can make or break your experience.
“Before you jump into the pool, take some baby steps,” says Cara Ameer, a real estate broker and agent with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, licensed in Florida.
Here are preliminary steps to take in early fall.
Work with a knowledgeable agent: An experienced agent is as important as ever. They can help you navigate seasonal trends, local inventory and pricing shifts; recommend lenders and other pros; and alert you to new listings and price reductions. About 5.5% of homes typically see price cuts in mid-October – more than in peak seasons, according to Realtor.com’s study.
You might see even more price drops this fall as inventories rise.
“A price drop doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with the home,” says Ryan Melvin, a real estate pro with Huntington & Ellis, A Real Estate Agency, in Las Vegas. “Price adjustments often reflect normal market cycles.”
Nevertheless, they can still offer negotiating opportunities on price, repairs or concessions, he adds. That’s another area where your real estate agent can help.
Prepare your finances: Mortgage rates have subtly shifted this fall, which could be improving affordability. National listing prices historically dip between early October and mid-month, averaging about 3.4% below their seasonal peak, according to Realtor.com. That could mean savings of about $15,000 on a median-priced home this fall.
Meet with a lender to review your income, credit score and debt to see what you can afford. Getting preapproved signals credibility to sellers and allows you to move quickly. That can be crucial even in mid-October, when desirable homes can still generate multiple offers.
Use the fall backdrop to better evaluate the home: As lawns brown and flowers fade, you’ll be less likely to be distracted by landscaping and cosmetic touches. Look for clear gutters, properly maintained exterior systems and any insulation or heating issues.
“If there are leaves and grass clippings clogging the AC unit or pipe insulation is missing or chewed up, it could mean the home hasn’t been maintained,” says Lynn Butterfield, associate broker at Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette, licensed in Arkansas and Utah.
Act quickly on homes that match your priorities: While the fall might feel slower, move-in ready homes and those in high-demand neighborhoods can still sell quickly. The average home still receives 2.5 offers, according to the National Association of Realtors, Realtors Confidence Index report on nar.realtor.
Still, buyer demand is down about 31% from the frenzy of spring and summer, according to Realtor.com. That can leave room for more thoughtful decision-making.
You’ll likely have more homes to choose from, too. The week of Oct.12 alone was expected to bring 15% more active listings than the average week and 33% more than at the start of the year.
As those fresh listings come to market, preapproval and prepared finances will give you leverage. Setting priorities will narrow your choices so that you can avoid delays.
Leverage your negotiation power this fall: In the fall, sellers might be more willing to lower prices, cover repairs or offer incentives like credits to buy down interest rates.
“We’re seeing a lot more sellers willing to negotiate repairs [than in the past],” Kebalo says.
That gives you more negotiating power. For example, you might want to ask for a home warranty in your offer, which adds protection if a major home system breaks after you move in, Butterfield says.
“The cards are tipped in your favor this fall,” Hale says. With a real estate agent by your side – along with paperwork, preapproval and finances in order – you might be in a new home before the holidays.
Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice of real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with nearly 3,000 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is one of some 1,200 local boards and associations of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors service Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. For more information, visit www.gcar.net or call 423 698-8001.