The best week to buy a house in 2026 begins Sept. 27, according to newly released housing-market research, giving agents a timely reason to reconnect with buyers who have been waiting for better conditions. The national window runs through Oct. 3, when buyers are expected to find more inventory, lower seasonal prices, and less competition.
Realtor.com’s 2026 Best Time to Buy report projects listing prices during that week will be about 3.5% below their seasonal peak. That translates to roughly $14,000 in potential savings compared with the summer peak for a median-priced home of about $416,000, but it is not a guaranteed discount at closing.
How the best week was picked
The ranking uses six seasonal measures: active inventory, new listings, listing prices, days on market, listing views as a measure of buyer demand, and price reductions. The analysis draws on data from 2018 through 2025, excluding 2020 because pandemic-era disruptions distorted normal seasonal patterns.
Mortgage rates are excluded because they do not follow seasonal patterns. Historically, the week has 13.3% more active listings than a typical week. This year, inventory could be up to 31.9% higher than it was at the start of 2026.
Buyer demand, measured by listing views, has historically been 30.1% below its annual peak during the week. Homes are also expected to spend about 64 days on the market, 13 days longer than during May’s faster pace.
Why fall 2026 favors buyers
August existing-home sales fell 2% from July to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.98 million, while inventory climbed to 1.62 million homes. That amounted to 4.9 months of supply, the highest level in more than a decade.
The national median existing-home price still rose 1.6% year over year to $429,100 in August. The shift comes as the fall housing market has brought more fresh listings but weaker pending sales, giving some buyers more choice without a matching surge in demand.
Financing remains a constraint. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.76% as of Sept. 10.
What the $14,000 figure does and doesn’t promise
The roughly $14,000 estimate compares projected Best Week listing prices with their summer peak. It is not an expected reduction from a seller’s asking price, a year-over-year decline in home values, or guaranteed savings at closing.
A slower market can give buyers more time to compare properties, complete due diligence, and negotiate price or terms without the pressure often seen in spring and early summer.
Why local timing matters
Fourteen of the 50 largest metros share the Sept. 27-Oct. 3 window, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, and Los Angeles. Timing varies considerably: New York and Milwaukee reached their best week Sept. 6-12, while Miami and Tampa are projected to reach theirs Nov. 29-Dec. 5.
Overall, 42 of the 50 largest metros have their best week within about a month of the national window. Before advising clients on timing, agents should check local inventory, median days on market, price reductions, and sale-to-list-price trends.
Match the timing to the buyer
Buyers prioritizing selection may benefit from shopping earlier, when more fresh listings are available. Those seeking negotiating leverage can focus on homes with longer market times or recent price cuts.
Affordability-focused buyers should compare the full monthly payment rather than waiting solely for lower asking prices. Mortgage-rate movements can offset some of the savings created by seasonal price changes.
Check the local market before setting a date
Before using Sept. 27-Oct. 3 as a target, agents should confirm whether it aligns with conditions in the client’s market and price range. Inventory, days on market, price reductions, financing costs, and the buyer’s priorities will determine whether waiting offers a meaningful advantage.
The Sept. 27 window gives agents a reason to reopen buyer conversations, but local conditions should determine when clients actually act.