We Surveyed 100 Realtors About the Fall Housing Market. Here’s What They Told Us.

Agents share advice for making sense of the local housing market.

What is it like to buy or sell a home right now? To get a clearer picture of how the fall real estate market is taking shape, and how people can approach it, we asked 100 top-producing agents in the area. Here’s what they shared.

Slow but steady

81%

of agents said they are seeing fewer sales this fall than in the spring.

43%

said the fall market is looking slower than the same period last year.

Interest rates

76%

said interest rates are the biggest force affecting the market.

Changing tides

76%

of agents said this fall is more favorable to buyers.

Inventory boost

85%

of agents said inventory is increasing, although some still see it as an overall concern.

The holiday slump

The holiday season typically brings the slowest stretch of the year in real estate, but agents say a push for year-end deals could create a modest December bump in sales before activity picks up again in the new year.

Buyer be ready

Thinking about buying now? Agents say conditions are in your favor.

“This is a great time for folks who have a hard time competing in the spring market,” says Compass’s Jaime Willis. Agents generally agree that lighter competition and more motivated sellers can make good deals easier to find at this time of year.

Tip: “Many sellers will wait until spring to list,” says Koki Adasi of Compass. While they wait, some test the market with private listings or “private exclusives” to avoid spending too long on the market. “As a buyer, be sure your agent is searching for all opportunities over the holidays.”

Seller central

For sellers, agents recommend patience—buyers are out there in every season.

“Do not underestimate the importance of market preparation,” says TTR Sotheby’s Carolyn Sappenfield. Agents say spending on updates and staging to create a fully move-in-ready feel is essential.

Tip: Price it to sell. Right pricing is the most important factor in sales success right now.

An AI effect

As more people turn to artificial intelligence, Laura Schwartz of The Real Brokerage worries that transactions could become more complicated.

One problem Schwartz is seeing is buyers uploading inspection reports into ChatGPT, only to be told that a house is falling apart. “AI is a tool, but it’s not always right,” she says. “Many times, the same concern comes up in homes of a similar age or style,” Schwartz notes, so the same issue may appear in another property.

Tip: Speak with an agent to judge how serious a problem is for you as a buyer, how best to address it, and what the right next step should be.