When Is The Best Time In The Calendar To Buy A House?

When it comes to buying your next home-sweet-home, it goes without saying that you’ll be looking for a sweet deal. After all, purchasing a house is not something to be taken lightly:  Your home will most likely become your biggest asset, now and in the future.

But before you sign on the dotted line, read on to find out exactly when is the best time of year to buy a house. You could save yourself a good amount of cash – and a lot of regret.

What Days Of The Week Are Best For Buying?

Think of it as giving yourself a well-deserved holiday present:  The single best day to buy a house is December 26. Why? Because very few people are in the market on the day after Christmas. What does that mean for you? Sellers are eager to make a sale and are willing to offer discounts, according to Attom Data Solutions, a real estate information company. You might also look to make a home purchase on some of these other buyer-friendly dates:  December, 4,7, 29; October 12; and November 9.

Monday is the best day of the week to close on a home purchase, when buyers can potentially snag discounts averaging 2.3% below market value, according to a 2015 study conducted by RealtyTrac (now a part of Attom). Friday is the second-best buying day.

Is There An Ideal Week To Buy A House?

A 2019 study from Realtor.com showed that the most favorable home buying conditions occur during the last week of fall. Once kids are back in school, buyers have more free time to check out open houses and negotiate with sellers for the best price. Sellers might also be more eager to sell before the winter months set in and home buying and selling generally decline.

About 6% of sellers lowered their asking price during the week of September 22 through 28, according to the Realtor.com study. More available inventory, more time to look through listings, and more price reductions makes this time of year a buyer’s bonanza.

Best Months To Make A Home Purchase

Late summer or fall offer the best opportunities for buying a home. House hunters can expect to find plenty of homes on the market to choose from, but with less competition than in the spring and early summer. As back-to-school approaches, sellers are more inclined to reduce their asking price as the winter months loom, which usually sends house hunters into hibernation until spring.

Zillow’s research indicates that August and September are prime months for house listings that include at least one price reduction. But if you’re willing to step out of your self-imposed cold weather cocoon, you could find a hot deal during the winter when home prices dip at the same time that temperatures plunge.