This Fall May Offer A Hidden Sweet Spot For Home Buyers
Dated: September 22 2025
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Mark 🖊️ your calendars: The week of Oct. 12-18, as well as its surrounding weeks, could offer home 🏠 buyers a prime time to make an offer on a home. A new study from realtor.com® finds the week offers a rare trifecta—more listings, lower prices 💵 and less 🔽 competition—creating an ideal moment for agents to help home shoppers 🛍️ to make their move.
Greater housing options may be just the catalyst needed to get buyers off the sidelines this fall. Compared with recent years, they now have more choices—and more bargaining power 🏋️♀️.
“I expect this market momentum shift to magnify typical seasonal trends that favor home buyers in the fall,” says Danielle Hale, realtor.com®’s chief economist. According to realtor.com®’s data, the particular week of Oct. 12-18 could bring buyers not only more homes to choose among and fewer competing shoppers, but also potential average savings of more than $1️⃣5️⃣,0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ compared to this summer’s peak prices.
6️⃣ Reasons to Buy This Fall
There is a significant shift to a buyer's market in Palm Beach county after a period of historically tight supply and intense competition that left many home shoppers priced out.
Here’s what the realtor.com® data shows tilting in buyers’ favor this fall—especially during the week of Oct. 12-18 for the majority of housing markets across the country.
1️⃣ More listings
Inventory levels typically peak in early fall, but this year the number of homes for-sale has reached the ✨highest✨ point since the pandemic. Active listings climbed above 1 million in late spring—a milestone not seen in years, according to realtor.com®. During the week of Oct. 12-18, buyers could see up to 3️⃣3️⃣% more active listings than at the start of the year.
“This increase is giving buyers something they haven’t had in years: breathing room,”
2️⃣ Lower prices
Listing prices during the week of Oct. 12-18 typically run about 3️⃣.4️⃣% ⬇️ below the seasonal peak. That could translate into potential savings of more than $15,000 on a median-priced home of $439,450, realtor.com®’s data shows.
3️⃣ Greater chance of price cuts
About 5️⃣.5️⃣% of homes tend to see price reductions during that week, according to realtor.com®’s research. And economists say recent trends suggest even more discounted listings could emerge this fall.
4️⃣ Less competition
Buyer demand has cooled in 2025 as affordability challenges and elevated mortgage rates weigh on the market. If this October follows typical patterns, however, competition could be about 3️⃣1️⃣% lower ⬇️ than during the peak season, easing pressure on buyers to make rushed offers.
5️⃣ A slower pace of sales
Homes are taking longer to sell—another sign buyers have more time to make decisions. The U.S. median time on the market surpassed pre-pandemic norms this summer. In October, homes typically spend about two weeks longer on the market compared with the peak season.
Still, certain homes continue to attract 🧲 strong attention, with the average listing nationally drawing 2.1 offers in July and 2️⃣1️⃣% of homes still selling for above the asking price, according to the latest REALTOR® Confidence Index.
6️⃣ More newly listed homes
Besides higher overall inventory, mid-October also tends to bring a wave of new listings. About 1️⃣6️⃣% more homes typically debut this time of year, giving buyers additional opportunities to find a match.
If you are wondering if now is the time to considering purchasing a home, we can connect you with one of our lender partners to get you started on your new home journey today!
Wendi Davis, PA
Wendi Davis is a South Florida native and a University of Central Florida alumna with a double major in Advertising/Public Relations and Psychology. Her education has given her a deep understanding of....
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
Updated on September 23, 2026 7:41 AM UTC
The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Martin County REALTORS ® of the Treasure Coast. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
© 2026 Florida Gulf Coast MLS (FGCMLS) Information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. The IDX data relating to real estate for sale on this web site comes in part from the Florida Gulf Coast Multiple Listing Service. The information being provided is for consumers' personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumer's personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. The data relating
