10 Best Days to Buy a Home (Mark Your Calendars!)
We’re officially into fall, and if you’ve been thinking about buying a home, we’re quickly approaching the best days of the year to do it.
According to a study from ATTOM Data Solutions, October, November, and December claim nine out of the year’s 10 best home buying days overall.
The study looked at 18 million home and condo purchases over a five-year period, zeroing in on the 10 days that offer buyers the biggest discounts on pricing. On these days, you can expect to pay up to $2,500 less for your house than on other days of the year.
What Are the Best Days to Buy A House?
So, which days should you mark on your calendar? According to the analysis, December 26 — the day after Christmas — is the year’s best day to buy a house. By buying on this date, you can expect about a 1.3% discount on your price or around $2,500 on a median-priced home closed on that date.
December 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 21, and 29 are also on the list, offering discounts between $149 to $2,000. Outside of December, October 12 makes the cut with an average $1,000 discount, while November 9 and February 9 offer $666 and $500 off a median-priced property, respectively.
All in all, the best days to buy a house look like this:
- December 26 – $2,500 or a 1.3% discount
- December 7 – $2,000 or a 1% discount
- December 4 – $1,823 or a 1% discount
- December 29 – $1,320 or a 0.7% discount
- December 21 – $1,223 or a 0.6% discount
- December 1 – $1,000 or a 0.5% discount
- October 12 – $1,000 or a 0.5% discount
- November 9 – $666 or a 0.3% discount
- February 9 – $500 or a 0.3% discount
- December 8 – $149 or a 0.1% discount
The results also vary by location. Though December is the biggest month for discounts overall, ATTOM’s data shows that buyers in some states could gain more from choosing a different month. In Ohio, for example, buyers save about 8.8% by buying in January (buyers in Dayton can save up to 13.1%) while those in Michigan save the most in February at 7.9% on average (12.8% in Detroit).
There’s also recent data from Realtor.com that shows one week in September as a great time to buy. The analysis says there’s less competition, more listings, and an uptick in price reductions. Though the week has just passed, it may be something to have on your radar if buying a home is a long-term goal.
Other weeks mentioned as great times to buy include the week starting October 27, September 15, September 29, and October 6.
The Best Days to Sell a House
If you’ll need to sell your existing house before you can buy, ATTOM Data Solutions also narrowed in on the best times to do that, too. Looking at the broader picture, you stand to make the most if you sell your house in June.
Homeowners who sold their homes in 2011 through 2018 saw a 9.2% price premium by doing so in June. The rest of the summer months also rank highly, with May and July both offering over 7% premiums. Here’s how all 12 months break down in terms of price premiums:
- June – 9.2% price premium
- May – 7.4% price premium
- July – 7.3% price premium
- April – 6.4% price premium
- March – 6.1% price premium
- August – 5.8% price premium
- February – 5.6% price premium
- September – 4.7% price premium
- November – 4% price premium
- January 3.7% price premium
- October – 3.3% price premium
- December – 3.3% price premium
The analysis also looked at specific days and found even better results for sellers. For example, homeowners who sell their properties on June 28 see a whopping 10.8% premium on their sales price. On a home valued at $185,000, that would mean selling at $205,000.
Other dates with high seller premiums include May 31 (10.7% higher than average), June 21 (10.7%), June 20 (10.6%), and May 24 (10.5%).
It’s clear the summer is the best time to sell if you want to maximize profits, and according to ATTOM’s chief product officer Todd Teta, it all comes down to back-to-school season. “Since Summer is a time for vacations and outings, it’s no surprise that it’s also a time when people are most likely to move,” Teta said. “Families start their home search when they know their kids will be out of school and when the weather is ideal for home viewing and moving, giving home sellers an upper hand in price negotiations.”
Are You Looking to Buy a House?
If you’re thinking of buying a house (or selling your current one to buy something new), ATTOM’s data shows we’re nearing the best times of the year to do it. To give yourself the best chances, consider getting Approved to Move™ for your mortgage loan first. This can help point you to the appropriate price range, as well as give you a leg up on the competition.
Want to learn about your mortgage options? Get in touch with an Embrace Home Loans expert today. We’ll guide the way.
