Mortgage rates have fallen over the last few months, and they’ve declined steadily over the last four weeks, per data from Freddie Mac. That’s good news for sellers because the lower mortgage rates are bringing out buyers and making it easier for the sellers to jump on the bandwagon.
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Many already have, so you could face stiff competition if you list your home this fall. The most important thing to be aware of in this shifting market is that realistic pricing is crucial to competing successfully with other sellers.
Why Fall Home Pricing Matters More in 2025
A recent analysis by Redfin found that over the four weeks ending Oct. 12, new listings rose 4.1% compared to a year prior, signaling the largest increase in more than four months — a period that includes the summer peak season. At the same time, pending sales fell 1.2% year over year, and houses sat on the market for a week longer than in 2024.
All of these signals point to increased competition among home sellers, which gives buyers an edge. Price your home too high, and you could miss out on a sale.
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Fall Buyers Are Serious — and Picky
Buyers who have a choice of when to move often prefer to close during the summer, when the weather is good, the kids are out of school and there’s plenty of time to settle in before the holidays. Those who wait until fall are more likely to be moving because they have to, according to Realty Times.
That typically works in sellers’ favor because motivated buyers are more likely to negotiate. But this year, larger inventory gives buyers more choices. And that makes it easier to walk away if they don’t feel that they’re getting a good deal.
The Cost of Overpricing in the Fall 2025 Market
Overpricing your home makes it more likely to sit on the market. If it sits too long, you could miss out on your chance to sell this year because markets typically slow down during the winter. And if you try again in the spring, you might have to list for less.
The consensus among 100 housing experts polled by Fannie Mae for its Home Price Expectations Survey is that prices will dip slightly at the beginning of 2026, and they don’t expect prices to return to current levels until halfway through the year.
How To Price Your Home To Sell This Fall
You’ll need recent comparables to set a realistic listing price. If you’re working with a real estate agent, they’ll research comparables for you. Otherwise, use sites like Zillow and Realtor.com to find sale prices of homes that are similar to yours and located in the same neighborhood, that have sold since early September.
Going back further than that will bring up homes that sold during the summer peak, when prices are at their highest, and give you an overly optimistic estimate of what you can expect to sell for in November and early December.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The No. 1 Thing Home Sellers Need To Be Aware of This Fall
