Looking for the best time to buy in 2025? It’s the week of Oct. 12–18, says Realtor.com. 

According to its 2025 Best Time to Buy Report, this one-week period will feature a “rare combination” of 32.6% more active listings, a potential savings of $15,000 and 30.6% less competition.  

Why Oct.12–18 is the sweet spot 

Realtor.com highlights several reasons why the week of Oct. 12–18 stands out as the best time to buy a home in 2025. 

First, inventory levels are peaking. Listings typically rise in early fall, and this year has already brought the highest number of active listings since before the pandemic. At the same time, buyer competition has eased. Elevated mortgage rates and ongoing affordability challenges have cooled demand, leading to 30.6% less competition than during peak buying season. 

The pace of the market is also slower. Homes are taking longer to sell — on average, two weeks longer than during the summer peak — giving buyers more time to weigh their options and negotiate. 

Prices are another major advantage. October listing prices tend to be 3.4% below seasonal highs, which translates to potential savings of over $15,000 on a median-priced home of $439,450. In addition, about 5.5% of homes typically see price reductions during this week, and 2025 may bring even more discounts. 

Despite the seasonal slowdown, mid-October historically brings 15.7% more new listings than the start of the year. Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale said that while the housing market hasn’t officially shifted into a buyer’s market, conditions are the most favorable that they’ve been in years.  

Timing varies by region 

While Oct.12–18 is considered the best week to buy nationally, timing can vary slightly across local markets. 

• Earlier best weeks: Markets like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and Dallas typically favor buyers a few weeks earlier, often in September. 

• On time with national week: Houston, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., align with the October week. 

• Later best weeks: In Florida markets, including Miami and Tampa, the most favorable conditions may arrive in December. 

Realtor.com data shows that among the 50 largest metro areas, 45 see their best buying conditions within a month of the national Oct. 12–18 window. These areas offer buyers 20.9% more listings, 37.3% lower competition and prices 6.8% below annual peaks. 

“After years of constrained conditions, the 2025 housing market is giving buyers something they haven’t had in a long time: options,” said Hale. “I expect this market momentum shift to magnify typical seasonal trends that favor homebuyers in the fall. During the week of Oct. 12–18, data suggest that buyers will find more homes for sale, less competition from other shoppers and potential average savings of more than $15,000 compared to this summer’s peak prices. 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.”