Why October Is the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2025 (Especially Around Boston’s Suburbs)
The Fall Advantage: Why October 2025 Is the Month to Make Your Move
If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the “right time” to buy — grab your pumpkin spice latte, because that time is now.
According to Realtor.com, October 2025 is shaping up to be the most buyer-friendly month of the year, with a rare combination of factors tipping the scale in favor of homebuyers.
“By mid-October, buyers across much of the country may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and negotiating power they’ve been waiting for—a rare opportunity in a market that has been tight for most of the past decade.” — Realtor.com
What Makes October a “Sweet Spot” for Buyers
It’s not just a feeling — it’s backed by data. This month tends to bring:
- More homes to choose from — Inventory usually peaks as sellers who listed in summer are still on the market, joined by fresh fall listings.
- Less competition — Many buyers tap out once school starts or the holidays approach.
- Better prices — Homes that have been sitting since summer are often reduced to attract fall buyers.
- Sellers more willing to negotiate — If a home hasn’t sold yet, sellers become more flexible on price and closing terms.
- More time to browse — With fewer bidding wars, you can actually take a breath before making a decision.
What That Means for Boston Suburb Buyers
While the national “Best Week to Buy” lands around October 12–18, our local market in Greater Boston — especially in Walpole, Westwood, Dedham, Roslindale, and West Roxbury — tends to hit its stride a little later in the month.
In fact, Boston-Cambridge-Newton is projected to see its “best week to buy” between October 26 – November 1 this year. That means buyers in nearby suburbs could have prime conditions through Halloween and into early November.
If you’ve been struggling to find something in your price range all summer, the next few weeks could finally bring relief.
Why Fall Buying Feels Different
Let’s be honest — buying a home in spring can feel like standing in line at a Taylor Swift concert. Everyone wants in, everyone’s bidding high, and emotions run hot.
Fall? Much calmer.
Here’s what local agents (myself included!) love about helping clients buy in October:
- Sellers are serious. They’re not “testing the market” — they want to move before winter.
- Homes show beautifully. Crisp air, cozy lighting, and fall curb appeal make it easier to envision your new home.
- Local service providers have more availability. Need inspections, movers, or painters? You’ll wait less and likely pay less.
What the Experts Are Saying
It’s not just us real estate folks in Massachusetts who see the shift — the national experts agree:
“Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020.”
— Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors
“Now is a good time to buy, if you can afford it . . . with falling mortgage rates and significantly more inventory, buyers have an upper hand in negotiations.”
— Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist, Redfin
“This fall just might be the best window for home buyers in the past five years.”
— NerdWallet
Local Snapshot: What’s Happening in Norfolk County
Here’s what we’re seeing locally as of early October:
- Inventory has ticked up, especially in Walpole, Norwood, and Westwood, giving buyers more to choose from.
- Days on Market are increasing slightly, meaning sellers are open to offers and discussions.
- Price reductions are happening — not across the board, but selectively where homes were priced too aggressively in summer.
- Interest rates have eased from their midyear peak, giving buyers a little more breathing room on monthly payments.
All this adds up to opportunity — but timing still matters.
How To Prepare for This “Golden Window”
If you’re ready to buy this fall, here’s your October playbook:
- Get pre-approved immediately. You’ll move faster when the right home hits the market.
- Know your local market. Every town — Walpole, Dedham, Norfolk, or Westwood — behaves a little differently. Work with an agent who can interpret those micro-trends.
- Watch for price drops. Properties that have lingered since July or August often adjust pricing right now.
- Schedule showings quickly. While competition is lower, good homes still go fast.
- Negotiate smartly. You may now have room for closing cost credits or flexible closing dates — things we rarely saw last year.
Bottom Line
If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to make your move, October 2025 is your month — especially across the Boston suburbs.
With inventory up, competition down, and sellers eager to deal before the holidays, this is the best balance of opportunity buyers have seen in years.
Let’s get your strategy in place now so you can take advantage of this narrow, powerful window.
Schedule your homebuying consultation today or get a free home search setup customized to your favorite towns.
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