Housing Inventory in 2025: Expanding Options
In recent years, buyers have faced a significant hurdle: the scarcity of available properties. Many homeowners hesitated to sell, concerned about losing their favorable mortgage rates and the comfortable monthly payments tied to them—a situation often described as the “rate lock effect.”
Recently, signs indicate that this impasse may be beginning to shift.
As reported by the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales reached a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4 million in August 2025. More notably, inventory rose to 1.53 million homes—an increase of 11.7% compared to August 2024. This corresponds to roughly 4.6 months’ supply, up from 4.2 months the previous year. An uptick in supply translates into increased buyer leverage compared to just a year ago.
Simultaneously, the new home market is thriving. Builders recorded sales at a remarkable annual rate of 652,000 in July, with 499,000 homes available for sale—equating to a supply of 9.2 months. This backlog significantly contrasts with the 7.5 months’ supply noted in July 2024, indicating builders’ eagerness to sell properties. As a result, buyers may find attractive builder incentives such as closing cost credits, interest rate buydowns, or even complimentary upgrades, enhancing the value of their purchases at closing.
This scenario marks a stark contrast to earlier times when buyers often waived inspections to secure deals. Currently, buyers can afford to take their time, negotiate necessary repairs, or seek assistance with closing costs—especially if a property has lingered on the market for a while.
If you’ve been putting off a home purchase in hopes of a housing market collapse, your wait may be prolonged. National prices haven’t significantly dropped, although growth rates have notably slowed.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) revealed that home prices saw a slight decrease of 0.1% in July. Alternatively, Case-Shiller’s national housing price index demonstrated a modest 1.7% increase in July 2025, down from 1.9% the previous month.
However, national statistics provide only part of the narrative. Some cities may face stagnation or slight declines in prices, while others might still see bidding wars. It’s crucial to analyze local markets. Your real estate agent can provide insights on real estate comparables and price trends for the neighborhoods you’re considering, which will be more valuable than any national statistic when it comes to appraisals.
For instance, if you’re interested in a $450,000 property in Phoenix, but comparable homes in that area are selling for $425,000, this gives you negotiating power. While national data may suggest rising prices, localized insights will help ascertain whether you can successfully negotiate a lower asking price.
Rent prices deserve attention for those renting and considering whether to continue renting or purchase a house. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the rent for primary residences and “owners’ equivalent rent” increased by 0.3% from June to July 2025.
Speaking of owners’ equivalent rent, this term represents the amount homeowners might pay if they were renting their homes. Effectively, it’s an indicator of housing costs for the two-thirds of Americans who own rather than rent. Currently, the national owners’ equivalent rent is approximately 4% higher than a year ago.
What does this imply for you? In simple terms, housing costs are climbing faster than overall inflation. If your landlord raises your rent annually, this statistic is likely impacting you. For potential buyers, continuously rising rents can make a stable fixed mortgage payment seem attractive, even amid current interest rates that may not feel ideal, as they secure a significant portion of your monthly budget.
For example, if you’re paying $1,500 monthly in rent, a 4.1% increase would add around $60 to your payment. Over the span of a year, that’s $720 lost without building equity through homeownership. Over several years, the rationale for buying—even with current interest rates—could become more compelling.
Explore further: Using Home Equity to Build Wealth
Considering the aforementioned market changes, one week could prove especially advantageous for homebuyers. Current data from Realtor.com indicates that the week of October 12 to 18 may present the optimal combination of affordability, selection, and negotiating power, marking it as the ideal time for home purchases in the U.S.
This analysis reviewed over ten years of housing data and found that this mid-October timeframe regularly yields increased listings, reduced competition from buyers, and softer pricing. If you’ve been waiting for your window of opportunity, this could be it.
Realtor.com predicts that the number of active listings during this week will be about 32.6% higher than at the beginning of 2025. This marks a significant increase following years of limited inventory, granting buyers additional space to compare options rather than having to make compromises.
As the summer rush subsides, buyer activity typically declines, and this year is no exception. During the October 12 to 18 timeframe, listings tend to receive about 30.6% fewer views per property than during the peak buying season. Consequently, this environment fosters fewer bidding wars, allowing buyers more room to entertain negotiations on home prices or closing costs.
Sellers, too, may recalibrate their expectations as autumn approaches. Data from Realtor.com shows that listing prices during this period usually hover about 3.4% lower than the seasonal highs of the year. On a $439,000 property, this translates to approximately $15,000 in possible savings—funds that could be applied toward closing costs or upcoming maintenance.
Additionally, mid-October typically witnesses a higher percentage of price reductions (around 5.5% of listings), and homes take roughly two weeks longer to sell compared to busier seasons. Sellers who haven’t secured a buyer by then are often more willing to consider seller concessions, repair credits, or assistance with mortgage buydowns.
It’s important to note that not every housing market will align perfectly with national averages. Realtor.com discovered that in 45 out of the top 50 metro areas, the “best week” to buy typically falls within a month of the October 12 to 18 timeframe. Some markets in the Northeast, Midwest, and Florida may peak slightly earlier or later. The main takeaway? Use localized trends to refine your timing, but mark mid-October 2025 on your calendar if you’re prepared to act.
Having your financing ready and your home search well underway before this week could position you to make swift decisions while others are still contemplating, which may be crucial in securing the right property at an attractive price.
Explore further: When Will Housing Prices Decrease?
Ultimately, the timing of your purchase is influenced more by your personal financial situation than by the calendar year. Interest rates have remained below 7% for much of this year, inventory is on the rise, and price growth has tempered—all favorable indicators for buyers in 2025. However, determining whether it is a “good” time to purchase a house hinges on your ability to comfortably handle the payment, maintain a steady income, and have a long-term plan. If you meet these criteria, 2025 presents opportunities that weren’t available in the frenzied market environment of recent years.
The decision ultimately depends on your level of readiness rather than the state of the market. By late 2025, buyers will find a wider selection of properties, reduced competition, and slower price appreciation, equipping them with better negotiating strength. Realtor.com predicts mid-October 2025 as the year’s prime buying window. By 2026, market dynamics could change if rates or prices increase. If your finances are strong and you find the right home, delaying your purchase could end up costing more than you might have saved.
Interest rates have already fallen from their highs in 2024, but there are no assurances they will continue on this trajectory. As noted by Freddie Mac, rates currently range from the low to mid-6% range—down from previous spikes, yet still above pre-pandemic figures. Should inflation stabilize and the Federal Reserve begin easing measures, rates may decrease; however, geopolitical events or climbing Treasury yields could exert upward pressure. In summary, strive for lower rates, but budget your plans based on current figures.
Laura Grace Tarpley edited this article.
