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common misconception in the US real estate market is that spring is the best time to buy a home. However, this season actually favors sellers. According to Realtor.com senior economist Ralph McLaughlin, fall is a more favorable time for buyers to enter the housing market.

    Nationally, Realtor.com economists estimate that the last week of September to the first week of October is the best time to buy a home. While it's ideal to hit this peak period, any time during the fall will be better for buyers than spring. McLaughlin points out that several factors make fall beneficial for buyers.

    As the school season begins, many families with school-aged children avoid moving or have already relocated earlier in the year, resulting in a surplus of homes on the market relative to buyers. Additionally, some sellers who listed their homes too late or priced them too high are now willing to cut prices as fall approaches.

    This increased willingness to negotiate leads to more homes on the market with price reductions, giving buyers an advantage. With homes staying on the market for two to three months, buyers have time to find a property and negotiate terms without feeling pressured to close quickly. Even with high interest rates, price cuts signal flexibility, allowing buyers to leverage their position to secure better deals or concessions, such as negotiating a rate buydown.