When is the Best Time to Buy a Home? (2024)

FAQs

Will 2024 be a good year to buy a house? ›

The combination of high mortgage rates, steep home prices and low inventory levels are lining up to make the 2024 housing market a challenging one for both buyers and sellers. But rates have cooled a bit — if that continues throughout the year, as some experts predict, then market activity should heat up in response.

Winter is traditionally the slowest season for home sales and, as a result, it's the cheapest time to buy a home. There's usually less competition between buyers and sellers may be more willing to negotiate to make a sale since buyer interest is lower than it is in the spring.

Key takeaways

If your credit score is strong, your employment is stable and you have enough savings to cover a down payment and closing costs, buying now might still be smart. If your personal finances are not ideal at the moment, or if home values in your area are on the decline, it might be better to wait.

Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce.

The good news: With the U.S. Federal Reserve widely expected to begin cutting its benchmark interest rate in 2024, mortgage rates could drop as well—at least slightly. But that doesn't necessarily mean a return to the pre-pandemic era of more affordable mortgages and home prices.

That being said, there are still far more buyers than sellers even with this negative first-time homebuyer news, meaning that there will not be a market crash likely. According to MCT housing market experts and other experts in the field, the likelihood of a real estate housing market crash in 2024 is low.

Which Seasons Are Best To Buy a House In? Home buyers will likely find the best deals in fall and winter. As for the worst time to buy a home, spring is generally the most expensive season. May is the worst month for finding a deal, with a premium of 10.5% over market value, according to ATTOM.

Buy in November for a better price

The window between late fall and early winter is the best time for buyers on a budget. Keep in mind, fewer homes are for sale in the cold winter months and around the busy holiday season, so the selection of for-sale homes will be limited.

What happens to house prices in a recession? While the cost of financing a home increases when interest rates are on the rise, home prices themselves may actually decline. “Usually, during a recession or periods of higher interest rates, demand slows and values of homes come down,” says Miller.

Best Time to Sell Your House for a Higher Price

April, June, and July are the best months to sell your house in California. The median sale price of houses in June 2023, was $796,400, which is expected to grow more in 2024. However, cities like Arcadia and San Mateo follow an upward trend throughout the year.

Are we in a recession in 2024? ›

Economists predict another year of slow growth around the world in 2024. While the risk of a global recession is lower in the year ahead, two G7 economies dipped into recession at the end of 2023.

Cash. Cash is an important asset when it comes to a recession. After all, if you do end up in a situation where you need to pull from your assets, it helps to have a dedicated emergency fund to fall back on, especially if you experience a layoff.

Average Home Prices: The average median home price in California is $739,100, up by 6.5% YoY. In 2024, experts predict the median sale price will increase due to the tight inventory. Currently, the sale-to-list price ratio is at 99.4%, with an incline of 1.3 pt YoY compared to September 2023.

Yes. This is the best time to buy a house in California. With the current trend in the CA housing market, you'll find better deals on your dream home during Q2 2024. As per Fannie Mae, mortgage rates may drop more in Q2 of 2024 due to economic changes, inflation, and central bank policy adjustments.

On the other hand, the worst time of year to buy a house is during the spring season up to early summer, when housing inventory is high, driving the demand and home prices up. Aside from seasonality, other economic factors, such as mortgage rates, may also affect your ability to buy a home.

Best Time to Sell Your House for a Higher Price

April, June, and July are the best months to sell your house in California. The median sale price of houses in June 2023, was $796,400, which is expected to grow more in 2024. However, cities like Arcadia and San Mateo follow an upward trend throughout the year.

As a whole, analysts are optimistic about the outlook for stock prices in 2024. The consensus analyst price target for the S&P 500 is 5,090, suggesting roughly 8.5% upside from current levels.

Trading Economics offers a more optimistic outlook, predicting a rise to 5% in 2023 before falling to 4.25% in 2024 and 3.25% in 2025. This forecast is supported by Morningstar's analysis, which projects rates between 3.75% and 4%.