Buyers finally get a turn

After a summer of bidding wars and painful prices, house hunters are heading into a stretch where the math tilts their way. Realtor.com names Sept. 27 through Oct. 3 as the year's best buying week.

About $14,000 off the peak

On a median-priced home near $416,000, shopping that week instead of the summer high saves a typical buyer roughly $14,000. That is real money before you touch anything else.

More homes, fewer rivals

Expect 13.3% more active listings than an average week and nearly 32% more than in January. Competition from other buyers historically falls 30.1% from its annual peak.

The market slows down

Homes sit about 64 days during the sweet spot, roughly 13 days longer than in the fastest stretch of the year. That buys you time to inspect, think and push back on price.

“an average 5.7% of homes see their asking prices reduced during the best week”

Choice now or price later

Fresh listings pile up early in the fall, so shop sooner if you have a long wish list. Bargain hunters can wait as prices soften toward the holidays, with less to choose from.

Mortgage rates are the wildcard

Rates do not follow a seasonal pattern and were left out of the calculation entirely. A cheaper house still means a bigger monthly payment if borrowing costs climb.

“A cheaper house doesn't necessarily mean a cheaper monthly payment if borrowing costs move higher.”

Your metro has its own date

Of the 50 largest metros, 42 land within a month of the national week. New York already hit Sept. 6 to 12, San Francisco arrives Oct. 11 to 17, and Miami waits until Nov. 29.