Homebuyers

The Best Time to Buy a Home In 2025: Homebuyers Could Save This Much During This Special Week

Homebuyers who’ve sat out the usually busy summer market should mark their calendars now. They may be able to get the best deal of the year in October.

The week of Oct. 12th through the 18th has been named the best week to buy a home in 2025, according to a recent Realtor.com report. Homebuyers may save more than $15,000 on a median-priced home of $439,450 compared to summer’s peak pricing.

Plus, the week may deliver the most homes to choose from and the least amount of competition from other buyers for the entire year.

“The 2025 housing market is giving buyers something they haven’t had in a long time: options,” Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com said in a statement. “In a year that’s been the most buyer-friendly in nearly a decade, it’s the best window of opportunity for homebuyers all year.”

This rare alignment of more homes for sale and prices predicted to be average 3.4% below seasonal highs may also help you to lower your housing payments and potentially negotiate money-saving seller concessions.

Here’s how homebuyers can take advantage of this week in October.

Update your mortgage pre-approval to take advantage of lower rates

Mortgage rates recently fell to their lowest level in over a year and they've remained low.

For the week ending Oct. 2, the rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage was 6.34%, according to Freddie Mac.

Use this dip to refresh your mortgage pre-approval immediately. Updating your loan qualification with a lender right before the October buying window ensures your purchasing power reflects current rates.

Ask your lender about rate locks or “float-down” options so you’re protected if rates rise, but can still benefit if they drop before you close. Being ready with a lender letter in hand gives your offer an extra push so you can land a home.

You have more homes to choose from during the best week to buy

Having more options in the housing market can make it easier to find the right home. Housing stock is projected to be 32.6% higher than at the start of the year during the week of Oct. 12.  

“The housing market has shifted into balanced territory nationally, with several local markets now favoring buyers,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com.

Homes are also taking about two weeks longer to sell than at peak season. This combination creates even more negotiating power.

Buyers no longer rushed to scoop up available homes can take their time to make sure they’re not settling on a property because there’s nothing else available.

And if a home lingers on the market, they may be able to ask the sellers to contribute to their closing costs or buy down their mortgage rate for the first couple of years of their loan.

Take advantage of price cuts to reshape your loan

Historically, only about 5.5% of homes see price reductions during the best week to buy.

In 2025, the share of discounted listings could be even higher. Each price cut lowers your required down payment and may also lower your monthly payment. If the home you are interested in doesn’t already have a price cut, there are still ways to save.

“Since not every home is going quickly or above the list price in many areas of the country, this is a golden opportunity for buyers to negotiate below the list price,” said Suzy Minken, a real estate professional at Compass who is licensed in New Jersey and Virginia. “This trend is something we haven't seen in quite a while.”

Before you make an offer, run the reduced price through your lender’s system. Rework your loan structure to eliminate mortgage insurance sooner, adjust your and down payment mix, or incorporate renovation funds via a renovation loan if the home requires repairs.

By understanding exactly how a lower price affects your financing, you’ll be able to move faster to make an offer and negotiate more effectively.

Move while the housing market is favorable to buyers

The spooky season, the two weeks after the Oct. 12th through 18th sweet spot around Halloween, are “almost as favorable” to buyers, according to the report.

“Seasonal trends are also working in buyers’ favor, making this year’s ‘Best Time to Buy’ especially promising,” said Jones. “Easing mortgage rates may spark demand, but with ample for-sale inventory, homes spending more time on market, and cooler competition, buyers can expect more options and greater negotiating power this fall.”

After autumn, housing stock typically shrinks into the winter months, even as prices may keep sliding. Home sellers and buyers are generally busy with the holidays.

Less housing stock means more competition for each property and less negotiating room on rate buydowns or seller credits.

October may be the best time to buy a home

Mid-October 2025 is shaping up to be the most buyer-friendly time of the year. The national “best week” applies broadly, but local clocks tick differently. Some housing markets tilt earlier in September; others are later in the year.

By combining that timing with smart mortgage and buying strategies, such as updated pre-approvals, proactive rate locks, negotiating seller credits, and being ready to submit quickly, you’ll be well-positioned during what’s turning out to be a fall of golden opportunities.

“Sellers are likely to show more flexibility as they try to stand out and finalize a sale before the winter slowdown,” said Jones.