When do most houses go on the market?

Market trends vary based on several factors; however, the highest number of homes are listed for sale between March and September. This makes the period between November and February an excellent opportunity for buyers to pounce on a home that has been on the market longer than anticipated and possibly experience less competition when submitting an offer.

What is the best age to buy a house?

There is no set age to buy a house. This is a personal decision based on various factors, including your finances, housing expenses, and job stability. Of course, knowing the trends in the current real estate market is important; however, that is not always the sole factor as to whether or not people want to—or even can—make a home purchase.

Is 2024 a Good Time to Buy a House?

If you’re considering a property purchase, knowing the seasonal real estate trends is the first step to making a wise financial decision. In addition, you should also be aware of your personal finances and goals, the overall state of the US real estate market, the market growth, and how it’s expected to change in the near future. Home values have grown significantly in the last few years, and federal interest rates, ranging from 6% to 7.5% throughout 2023 and 2024, are higher than they’ve been in the last 20 years. However, even though interest rates and home values can be intimidating for buyers, the continual growth of both figures shows that buying a house can still be a good decision in 2024. If you choose to wait for the market to slow down, you may end up with even higher interest rates and home prices.

The Best & Worst Times to Buy a House Going Into 2026

When you’re thinking about buying a home, there’s a lot to consider: the housing market, your finances, and your goals. Whether you’re a homeowner planning your next move or a real estate agent advising clients, it helps to understand how these factors influence the best time to buy a house — especially as we head from late 2025 into 2026, when winter conditions historically tilt back toward buyers.

In this guide, I’ll break down home prices, how long homes typically stay on the market, the level of competition, and when prices tend to go down.

Important note: The real estate statistics in this article are based on national surveys and data throughout the US. Some data may differ based on your location throughout the country, impacting the real estate market trends, climate, and the best and worst times to buy a house.

Best months to buy a house
Worst time to buy a house
Right now: a buyer’s market with a catch
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Bottom Line

Best months to buy a house

During the months from September through February, fewer homes sell above listing price, and median DOM is higher, easing bidding pressure. Hence, I recommend buying during these months. In fact, in June 2025, Redfin reported that just 28% of US homes were selling above asking, the lowest springtime share since 2020.

According to Redfin’s early-2025 reporting, homes that sold in January 2025 spent a median 56 days on market — the slowest January reading since 2020. That typically gives buyers more time and leverage. Realtor.com’s analysis finds that fall typically brings more options with prices below the seasonal peak and softer competition.

Why fall & winter are the most favorable months to buy a house

When buyer traffic thins after summer, prices cool, bidding pressure eases, and homes take longer to sell — conditions that generally improve leverage for financed buyers.

Historically, the winter months are slow for house sales. Data collected by Trading Economics reflects this, with the lowest dips in 2023 and 2024 falling in the months of October and September, respectively.

Prices typically peak in late spring or early summer and then cool into the later part of that year. According to Redfin’s national dashboard, the median US home-sale price reached a high of $446,015 in June 2025, then cooled to $439,339 by August 2025, which is consistent with prices easing into fall and winter.

While median sales prices are more affordable between September and February, January tends to have the lowest median sale prices overall. For example, January 2025 saw a median sale price of $418,258.

As of October 12, 2025, the median asking price is $399,947, according to data from Redfin.

Days on market (DOM) measures how long a listing remains active before selling. The median number of days a home spends on the market rises from September to January, creating less competition for home buyers. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), homes were on the market for 69 and 73 days, respectively, in January 2024 and January 2025.

Worst time to buy a house

The least favorable months to buy are typically May and June. During this period, housing inventory increases, attracting a surge of active buyers. That heightened demand pushes home prices up, increases the number of homes selling above list price, and raises the likelihood of bidding wars.

June generally marks the peak of annual home prices. According to FRED, median sale prices reached $426,900 in June 2024 before declining as January approached. Prices started climbing again in 2025, following a similar pattern, with May 2025 closing at $422,800. The combination of stronger demand and tighter inventory during these months leaves less room for negotiation.

Data from Redfin shows that the share of homes sold above the list price peaked at about 35% in June 2024. The percentage began to dip month over month but followed a similar trend the next year, with May 2025 reaching 31% and trending upward. Over the past five years, this pattern has been consistent — most properties sell above asking price between May and June, when buyer competition is at its strongest.

A lower DOM suggests stronger buyer demand. The same data from Redfin shows that May and June 2024 each recorded a 33-day median DOM, the fastest pace of the year. Historical trends mirror that same rhythm, with May through July consistently seeing homes sell the quickest.

If you aren’t sure how your local market is trending, check out Zillow Research. As the most visited real estate listing website in the US, Zillow has a pulse on the latest trends and listings hitting the real estate market. In addition to helping you find affordable properties in your area and the agents who represent them, the platform offers weekly market reports and an interactive home value index tool for visualizing trends.

Visit Zillow

Right now: a buyer’s market with a catch

National dynamics are tilting toward buyers, but affordability worries are keeping some house hunters on the sidelines. According to Redfin, new listings rose 4.1% year over year for the four weeks ending October 12, while pending sales fell 1.2%. Homes are taking longer to sell (median 48 days) and fewer are closing above list price (23.2%), which translates to more negotiating room for prepared buyers.

However, Redfin ties the decrease in demand to stubbornly high prices and broader economic unease, despite mortgage rates easing from their highs.

Redfin’s explainer notes that it’s a buyer’s market when sellers outnumber buyers, and that months of supply above roughly 5 tilts toward buyers (below 4 favors sellers, with 4 to 5 seen as balanced). Their latest guidance also stresses that affordability is the sticking point holding many would-be buyers back, even as leverage shifts.

What this means for buyers right now

Expect more room for price negotiation, credits, and repairs — especially on listings that have been sitting on the market. (If you’re crafting offers, see our playbook on 14 Clever Real Estate Negotiation Strategies From the Pros.)
Be ready to move when the right home appears. Even in a buyer-leaning market, high prices and broader economic anxiety can stall deals; strong preapproval and clean timelines still matter. Consider keeping contingencies in real estate but tightening deadlines so your offer stays competitive.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Most markets see the largest wave of new listings in late spring through early summer. According to Redfin’s national Monthly Housing Market Data, the New Listings series typically crests in May to June on the monthly view; that’s the season to expect the most fresh inventory before activity eases into fall.

There isn’t a “best” age — the right time is when your finances, job stability, and time horizon line up. For context, NAR’s 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers found the median first-time buyer age is 38, the highest on record, reflecting affordability pressures rather than an ideal target.

If you’re financially ready, yes. Redfin’s October 2025 update shows more new listings, slower sales, and months of supply near a balanced level; the big constraint is affordability.

Bottom Line

The data suggests the best time to buy is September through February. If you need to shop in spring or summer, plan for more competition and faster timelines. Rates, local inventory, and your finances will ultimately drive the right call.

If you’re also planning to sell, check our guide on the best and worst time to sell a house to see how the timing lines up!