2025 U.S. Real Estate Predictions
Zillow predicted a more active market with additional inventory for 2025, giving buyers more room to negotiate. However, homebuyers should expect some turbulence with fluctuating mortgage rates, even as more homes become available. Alana Mann, President of The Statesman Group of Companies, joined LiveNOW from FOX to discuss.
AUSTIN – A new report is revealing the best week to buy a home in 2025 – and it’s coming up soon.
Buyers may see up to 32.6% more active listings than at the start of the year and are poised to save over $15,000 on average.
Realtor.com analyzed six supply and demand metrics using data for 2018-2024 period. Those metrics analyzed included listing prices, inventory levels, new “fresh” listings, time on market, homebuyer demand and price reductions. Interest rates, which do not follow seasonal patterns, were not included.
Best Time to Buy a Home
By the numbers:
According to the Realtor.com’s 2025 Best Time to Buy Report, the week of October 12–18 will be the year’s sweet spot for home shoppers.
The real estate company cited a rare combination of higher inventory (32.6% more active listings), lower prices (a potential savings of $15,000), and less competition (30.6% lower) that makes it advantageous for buyers.
What they’re saying:
“After years of constrained conditions, the 2025 housing market is giving buyers something they haven’t had in a long time: options,” Danielle Hale, a chief economist at Realtor.com, said in a statement. “I expect this market momentum shift to magnify typical seasonal trends that favor homebuyers in the fall.”
She continued: “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.”
Why is Mid-October the Best Time to Buy?
Dig deeper:
According to Realtor.com, the housing market is showing signs of balance for the first time in years, creating a rare opportunity for buyers including plentiful listings, less competition, lower prices and a more manageable market place.
The company said buyers can expect up to 32.6% more active listings than at the start of the year. They said competition is also 30.6% lower than peak season during this week, giving buyers more breathing room and reducing pressure to make a rushed decision.
A ‘For Sale’ sign is posted outside a single family home on August 22, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
In addition, homes typically spend two weeks longer on the market in October compared to peak season, meaning sellers may be more open to negotiation, Realtor.com noted.
Nationally, listing prices during the best week are also on average 3.4% below seasonal peaks, translating to potential savings of over $15,000 on a median-priced home of $439,450.
And despite slower-than-usual seller activity overall in the fall, mid-October consistently has enough fresh listings to outpace conditions at the start of the year – historically 15.7% more – giving buyers additional opportunities to find homes that match their priorities.
“While the market has not yet tipped into a full ‘buyer’s market,’ conditions are more balanced than they have been in years,” Hale continued. “This represents a significant shift after a period of historically tight supply and intense competition that left many home shoppers priced out.”
Timing Can Vary by City
Local perspective:
Across the 50 largest metros, 45 experience their best time to buy within a month of the national week.
While large metros like Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. mirror the national October timing, other cities may see some variation.
For example, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas all see buyer-friendly conditions a few weeks earlier, often in September.
Meanwhile, Florida markets, including Miami and Tampa, peak as late as December.
Fed Cuts Interest Rates
This news comes on the heels of the Federal Reserves decision on Wednesday to cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point. They also indicated that two more cuts could follow before the end of the year.
RELATED: Fed cuts key interest rate, signals two more this year
The Fed has been under relentless pressure from President Donald Trump to cut rates. The central bank has held rates steady since late 2024 over worries that the Trump administration’s unpredictable tariff policies will reignite inflation.
“Downside risks to employment have risen,” the Fed said in a statement after its two-day meeting.
Fed officials also signaled that they expect to reduce their key rate twice more this year, but just once in 2026, which may disappoint Wall Street. Before the meeting, investors had projected five cuts for the rest of this year and next.
Conclusion
The 2025 real estate market is expected to be more balanced, with buyers having more options and negotiating power. The best time to buy a home is expected to be the week of October 12-18, with higher inventory, lower prices, and less competition. However, the timing can vary by city, and buyers should research their local market to find the best time to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best time to buy a home in 2025?
A: The best time to buy a home in 2025 is expected to be the week of October 12-18, according to Realtor.com’s 2025 Best Time to Buy Report.
Q: Why is mid-October the best time to buy?
A: Mid-October is considered the best time to buy because it offers a rare combination of higher inventory, lower prices, and less competition, making it advantageous for buyers.
Q: Will the interest rates affect the housing market?
A: Yes, the interest rates can affect the housing market. The Federal Reserve’s decision to cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point and signal two more cuts before the end of the year may impact the housing market, making it more favorable for buyers.
Q: How will the timing vary by city?
A: The timing can vary by city, with some cities experiencing buyer-friendly conditions earlier or later than the national week. Buyers should research their local market to find the best time to buy.
