The Fall Housing Market Could Benefit Both Buyers and Sellers—Here’s Why

After a pricey and competitive two-year seller’s market, housing costs are falling from record highs and buyers are back in the game, but according to Realtor.com, both both parties could have much to gain from a slow but strong fall market. Prices are steadily falling on a month-to-month basis as home sales continue to slow—a good sign for buyers long priced out by soaring housing costs.

Still, prices remain historically high, and though fewer buyers are rushing into home purchases than during the pandemic, sales are moving at a brisk pace nationwide. Further gains in the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate will continue to stall would-be buyers into the fall season, but those who can weather a prolonged affordability storm will benefit from less competition and newfound bargaining power.

First, the good news for buyers is that fall is typically the best time to buy a home—and this autumn is shaping up to be better than usual with a bumper crop of homes on the market with a longer shelf life than they’ve had in the past.

“For today’s home shoppers, there are more homes available for sale, and there may be more time to make an offer on one,” notes Realtor.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale in her analysis.

Meanwhile, the good news for home sellers is there appears to be “a renewed recognition of the relative advantages today’s sellers have,” Hale continues. Namely, record-high home equity, thanks to skyrocketing home prices.

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