Fall 2025 Real Estate Guide: Why This Season Could Be Your Sweet Spot

Spring and summer get all the attention when it comes to real estate, but serious buyers know the fall market has its own advantages. With fewer crowds at open houses and more room to negotiate, the months ahead could be a window of opportunity.

“People want to be settled before the holidays,” Forti Homes agent Jackie McCormick said. “If you could pick when you list then most would go for the Spring because buyers tend to be out in bulk then, too. Sellers are often more motivated in the Fall to get a deal done.”

At Forti Homes, we’re breaking down what the numbers say and what it means for you right here on the Main Line and in the surrounding Philadelphia suburbs.

Why Fall Works for Buyers

1. More Inventory Than Usual
Spring is usually when sellers rush to list, but this year many homes didn’t move as quickly as expected. Instead of disappearing, they’ve carried over into the fall — creating one of the largest pools of available homes since 2020. For buyers, that’s great news. More inventory means more opportunities to find a property that actually fits your lifestyle instead of settling because there’s nothing else out there. Whether you’re eyeing a colonial in Broomall or a townhome in Wayne, the extra supply gives you the chance to compare features, layouts, and neighborhoods side by side.

“Pricing has become a different animal than it was just a few years ago when rates were lower,” Jackie added. “It’s a good thing because the market is more balanced but it also leads to houses taking a bit longer to move.”

2. A Little Breathing Room
One of the biggest frustrations in peak season is the speed at which homes sell. This past May, many properties went under contract within days, leaving buyers scrambling to decide. By the time fall rolls around, though, the pace shifts. National data shows homes take more than two weeks longer to sell in November compared to May, and that difference is often felt locally too. That breathing room lets you schedule a second showing, bring in a contractor for advice, or simply sleep on your decision without the fear of losing the house overnight. It’s not a fully relaxed process — real estate never is — but it’s a welcome change of pace.

3. Stable Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have been hanging around the 6–7% range for most of the year. While that number might not be the lowest in history, the consistency offers something valuable: predictability. Buyers can create a budget and know their numbers won’t change drastically week to week. If rates dip in the future, refinancing remains an option. But if they hold steady, locking in now ensures you’re not caught off guard by sudden jumps. This stability is especially helpful for first-time buyers trying to keep monthly payments manageable. It allows you to shop for a home with clarity, knowing what you can comfortably afford today.

What This Means for Sellers

Fall buyers tend to be serious, not just curious. If your home didn’t sell in spring or summer, now’s the time to adjust strategy. Price cuts and concessions are common this season — and even small adjustments, like covering closing costs or offering a rate buy-down, can make your listing stand out.

Market Balance Is Returning

The wild seller’s markets of recent years are cooling. Across the country, things feel more balanced, with neither buyers nor sellers holding all the cards. Locally, that means negotiations are back on the table. Homes that have been sitting for months may be ripe for deals, while well-priced homes in hot neighborhoods still draw attention.

The Bottom Line

There’s no single “perfect” time to buy, but fall offers a combination of more inventory, slower sales, and greater negotiating power. If you’re ready to make a move before the holidays, now could be your sweet spot.

The Forti Homes team is here to help you navigate every step — from finding the right neighborhood to negotiating terms that fit your budget. Ready to start your fall home search? Get in touch with us today.

Would you like me to make this even more locally rooted (e.g., referencing Newtown Square, Wayne, Broomall neighborhoods and how fall market trends affect those areas specifically), or keep it broader like this draft.