Don’t wait for the “Spring Market.” Buy your home in Autumn

🍂 Why Autumn?

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, you may feel the urge to spend money apple picking or at a corn maze. Resist that urge this year, instead start looking for your next home. Autumn is quietly emerging as one of the most strategic seasons for home buyers. While spring and summer are often know as the most popular times to buy a home, fall offers unique advantages that can make the home-buying process smoother, more affordable, and better timed for those also planning to sell. Here are three compelling reasons why buying a home in autumn just might be your best move:

1. A Slower Market Means a Smoother Buying Experience

During the peak seasons of spring and summer, homes tend to sell quickly, often sparking bidding wars and rushed, bad decisions. In contrast, autumn sees a slowdown in market activity. Fewer buyers are actively searching, which means:

• You’re less likely to face intense competition.
• Sellers may be more flexible and open to negotiation.
• You have more time to evaluate properties and make thoughtful decisions.

This calmer pace can lead to a more relaxed and deliberate buying process, reducing stress and increasing the likelihood of finding a home that truly fits your needs.

2. Prices Are More Negotiable and Appreciation Slows

Historically, home prices tend to stabilize or even dip slightly in the fall. Sellers who list now are MOTIVATED. They often need to close before winter, making them more open to price negotiations, offering incentives like covering closing costs, or being open to negotiating home inspection repairs.

Furthermore, home appreciation typically slows during the colder months. This gives buyers a chance to get in the market before prices start climbing again after the New year.

3. Ideal Timing for Sellers Planning Ahead

If you’re buying a new home but also planning to sell your current one, autumn offers a unique advantage: you don’t have to rush. You can:

• Move into your new home gradually.
• Take time to renovate or stage your old home.
• List your property in the spring when buyer demand surges again.

Many of my clients follow this method so they can take advantage of buying when it’s easier in the fall, and selling when the market heats up (and prices too!) in the spring.

🍁 Final Thoughts

Autumn may not be the most popular season for real estate, but it’s often the most strategic. If you’re looking to purchase a home around the Chicagoland area or Southern Wisconsin, then you need to give me, Steven Johnson with Coldwell Banker Realty, a call today. I have over a decade of experience and know how to navigate the changing markets of the season. Call or text me at (847) 525-6121 or see my Zillow page!