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uyers eyeing a purchase should act quickly, as the week of Oct. 12–18, 2025 is forecast to be the year’s prime buying window, offering the best mix of inventory, prices and competition. The new Realtor.com® Best Time To Buy 2025 report shows that starting now lets buyers avoid the summer rush while still accessing the widest selection of fresh listings.
“Historically, this week delivers the most favorable conditions—higher inventory, prices below seasonal peaks, less buyer competition and a smoother pace,” says senior economic analyst Hannah Jones. The market has slowed this year, with inventory climbing past 1 million listings in late spring and approaching pre‑pandemic levels, yet still 13 % below those highs. Many homes have sat longer on the market, giving buyers leverage as sellers may be more willing to negotiate.
Time on market has returned to pre‑pandemic speeds, while affordability pressures and attractive rentals keep demand moderate. The West and South enjoy especially strong supply, with some areas exceeding pre‑pandemic listings. Home prices and mortgage rates have held steady compared to 2024, reducing bidding war pressure, though a 4‑million‑home supply gap keeps vacancies low and prices elevated.
The economy’s mixed signals—tariffs, inflation, interest rates and employment concerns—have slowed both existing‑home and new‑home sales, but the resulting inventory buildup has created breathing room for buyers. According to Realtor.com’s August 2025 Monthly Housing Trends Report, the national market is more balanced than in prior years, with high inventory and slower demand reducing competition and increasing negotiation flexibility. Austin, TX, exemplifies these buyer‑friendly conditions.
Jones notes that these favorable dynamics should persist until the market tightens again, as rising buyer activity will gradually absorb excess inventory. Regionally, the South and West remain most buyer‑friendly, while the Midwest and Northeast lean slightly toward sellers. Sellers must price strategically and present thoughtfully, as buyers no longer face bidding wars. Motivated buyers can exploit extended market time, broader selections and stronger negotiating power.
The “Best Week” can shift locally. Of the 50 largest U.S. metros, 13 peak earlier than the national window, and 16 peak later. New York City and Philadelphia hit their best week in early‑mid September, whereas Miami and Tampa see optimal conditions only in early December. Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. align closely with the national peak.
To capitalize, buyers should monitor local listings ahead of time. National data suggest the third week of October could offer up to 32.6 % more active listings than at the year’s start, potentially saving over $15,000 on a median‑priced home of $439,450. Those prioritizing choice should act as listings peak in early fall; price‑sensitive buyers might wait a bit longer for seasonal dips.
With the Best Week approaching, buyers who understand seasonal trends, regional nuances and set up alerts will be ready to seize the rare combination of inventory, pricing and negotiating power that has been scarce for most of the past decade. By mid‑October, many markets will finally deliver the favorable conditions buyers have been waiting for.
