Homeowners

Scrolling Through Listings? How Buyers Can Score the Right Home This Summer

If spring came and went without you making that long-anticipated home purchase, don’t worry. While April and May traditionally mark the peak of the homebuying season, 2025 is proving anything but typical.

“If you are a buyer, missing the spring market isn’t a bad thing—it’s an advantage,” said Jan Ryan, a broker and owner of RE/MAX Direct at RE/MAX in Ramona, Calif.

Indeed, this summer may be shaping up to offer buyers something spring didn’t: leverage.

That’s because there are more homes hitting the market as well as more sellers cutting prices and offering concessions to secure a sale.

Housing stock is finally rising

After years of scarce listings and competitive bidding wars, more homes are hitting the market.  

The number of homes for sale climbed 30.4% in April compared to a year earlier, according to Realtor.com’s monthly housing trends report. That marks the 18th month in a row of annual growth, evidence that sellers are finally coming off the sidelines.

For buyers, the spike in homes for sale means more chances to find a home that fits their needs—not just one they can afford.

That said, buyers shouldn’t confuse more housing stock with a buyer’s market. Homes in turnkey condition, located in areas without many homes on the market, or priced just under the median list price continue to attract interest quickly.

Mortgage rates are holding mostly steady

Another factor making summer 2025 more navigable is the relative stability of mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates aren’t likely to drop dramatically this summer, as the U.S. Federal Reserve has indicated a wait-and-see approach to inflation and economic growth. However, they aren’t expected to spike either.

After creeping up earlier in the year to 7%, the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rate is now hovering around 6.8%, according to Freddie Mac data. While still higher than buyers would prefer, that figure has remained relatively steady. This has helped buyers to figure out how much they can afford and plan accordingly.

Some buyers are also exploring adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) as a way to ease initial monthly payments.

This summer may be the right time to buy a home

Summer lines up with school breaks, which can be a logistical boon for families. Closing in July or August means fewer scheduling conflicts and a smoother transition before the new academic year. 

“Fewer buyers are looking in the summer due to summer vacations and school being out, so you have a big advantage due to less competition,” said Ryan.

This dynamic can also create urgency on the seller’s side—especially for homeowners looking to finalize a deal before Labor Day.

Buyers may have more negotiating power  

Homes that have lingered on the market since spring can offer a strategic advantage for summer buyers. These properties may have been priced too high at first or not seen during the spring boom.

Sellers who didn’t get what they wanted in the spring may be more willing to lower prices or make concessions, such as contributing to a buyer’s closing costs or buying down their mortgage rate temporarily. They may also be more willing to make costly repairs.

“Look for any [home that] has been on the market for more than 30, 60 or 90 days,” said Nicole Beauchamp of New York City’s Associate Broker at Sotheby’s International Realty. “You may have great negotiating possibilities if the sellers are motivated to get a deal done.”

Buyers willing to revisit listings that didn’t fly off the shelf in the spring may be able to unlock savings.

“But do watch for price reductions,” said Jessica Robinson, co-owner at Family Nest North Central Florida in Newberry Fla. “That last one is more common in the summer heat than people think.”

You can get to know a home and neighborhood in the summer

One of the underrated benefits of shopping in the summer is what it reveals about a property. Spring’s early listings often require a bit of imagination, especially if there’s still snow on the ground.

Summer, by contrast, is when properties show their true colors.

Yards and landscaping are in full bloom. You can see pools and decks and test an air conditioning system in real-time. Buyers can walk the block and better understand a neighborhood’s rhythm. Are kids playing in the park? Is traffic heavier than expected?

These cues all contribute to a more informed buying decision.

Be prepared to act quickly when the right property appears

While the pace has slowed slightly in some markets, well-priced homes continue to sell quickly. Tour promptly, ask the right questions, and be prepared to submit an offer without delay if it checks your boxes.

It's also important to have a mortgage pre-approval letter. This helps you figure out your budget because you have a good idea of how much you will be able to borrow and sellers know that you’re serious about purchasing a home.

“Look at the property and see if it meets your needs,” said Beauchamp. “If it does, submit an offer supported by the market data.”

Finally, understand how seasonality plays out in your local area. Some cities see their biggest surge of listings in late May and June. Others peak later in the summer. Watching market dynamics at the ZIP code level can help you time your offer—and your expectations—more strategically.

In short, the buying window is still wide open.