Is August the Right Time to Sell or Buy a Home? Here’s What You Need to Know Before Fall

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, many homebuyers and sellers ask the same question:
Is August a good time to make a real estate move?

The answer: Yes — if you understand the unique opportunities this time of year presents. Here's what the latest data and expert insights reveal about buying or selling in August 2025.

📈 Why August Can Be a Smart Time to Sell

1. Less Competition

Many listings from the spring and early summer are now sold or withdrawn. This creates less inventory, meaning your property could attract more attention from serious buyers.

📊 According to Zillow’s July 2025 Forecast:
“Existing home sales are in line to reach 4.16 million by the end of 2025… New listings continue to outpace sales, bringing inventory up by about 17% over last year.”
— Zillow.com, July 21, 2025

2. Motivated Buyers

August buyers are often on a deadline—hoping to settle in before the school year or before fall price shifts. This can create faster negotiations and smoother closings.

3. Seasonal Curb Appeal

Your landscaping still looks great, the days are still long, and buyers can imagine themselves enjoying your backyard or porch. August homes show beautifully—that’s a fact.

🏡 Why August Might Be the Best Time to Buy

1. More Choices & Leverage

Rising inventory means more options and better negotiating power for buyers.

🏷️ As noted by Bankrate (July 2025):
“While the median home price is up 1.3% year-over-year, a sharp increase in inventory is giving buyers some welcome leverage.”
— Bankrate.com, July 2025

2. Sellers Are Willing to Negotiate

Sellers who didn’t find a buyer in early summer may be more flexible with pricing or contingencies in August.

💬 Realtor.com’s August 2024 report revealed:
“Listings with price cuts reached the highest level for an August since 2018.”
— Realtor.com, Sept 5, 2024

3. Move In Before the Holidays

A home purchased in August typically closes by mid-to-late September—giving buyers plenty of time to get settled before Thanksgiving and the holiday rush.

📅 What to Watch Out for This August

• Limited High-Quality Listings: While inventory is up, not all listings are turnkey. Be ready to act fast on well-priced, move-in-ready homes.

• Changing Mortgage Rates: Rates are still volatile. As of July 2025, average 30-year mortgage rates hover around 6.7%, per Ramsey Solutions.

🧮 “High mortgage rates and low affordability have paused some home shoppers… but increasing choices could draw buyers back in.”
— Business Insider, May 2025

🧠 Final Takeaway

✔️ If You're Selling:

August remains a valuable selling window, especially if you act before the early fall market shift. Focus on strategic pricing and presentation.

✔️ If You're Buying:

Expect a bit more breathing room, with less competition and more selection—but stay alert for good deals that move quickly.

🧩 Real Estate Trivia Time

Did you know?
Historically, in some markets—like New Jersey—homes listed in August tend to sell faster than those listed in September:

“In New Jersey, homes listed in August spent an average of 57 days on the market—2 days faster than the annual average. September listings averaged 62 days, meaning August homes sold roughly 3 days faster than September.”
— ListWithClever blog, based on data from 2016 onwards 

That subtle timing advantage reinforces why August can be a strategic window: fewer days on market with motivated buyers, before the influx of fall listings arrives.