A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. Your sweet spot is here.

 The experts at Realtor.com study seasonal trends to figure out the ideal week for homebuyers:

“Nationally, the best time to buy in 2024 is the week of Sept. 29–Oct. 5. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers. Inventory tends to be high, prices are below peak levels, demand is waning, and the pace of the market slows to a more manageable speed.” 

In addition to the historical trends and typical seasonality that Realtor.com looks at, there are also clear indicators in today’s market data that you’ll see better conditions right now than you would have over the last few years.

Mortgage rates just hit their lowest point in 19 months, and that goes a long way to help with your purchasing power and affordability. Andy Walden with Intercontinental Exchange Inc. (ICE) points out:

“Recent easing in mortgage rates brought some much-sought relief to prospective homebuyers. Along with a general cooling in home price growth, rates falling below 6.5 percent made August the most affordable month for housing since February.”

And Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, explains that it’s not just rates that have improved – inventory has too: 

“The number of homes actively for sale continues to be elevated compared with last year, growing by 35.8%, a 10th straight month of growth, and now sits at the highest since May 2020.”

That should give you more options. At the same time, sellers now have to compete with each other for your attention. That means they’ll be more likely to negotiate because they know their house will sit on the market longer if they don’t. As Zillow says:

“Buyers waiting on the sidelines could find that early fall presents a ‘sweet spot,’ where there’s less competition from other buyers, more motivated sellers and lower interest rates to finance their purchases.”

Bottom Line

If you want to make sure you’re ready to take advantage of this sweet spot, connect with a local real estate agent and start the prep work now. Maybe it’s time to get off the sidelines and into the action.

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don’t forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Closing Costs?

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. And while they’ll vary based on the price of the home and how it’s being financed, every buyer has these, so they shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s just that some people forget to budget for them. According to Freddie Mac, this part of the homebuying process typically includes: 

• Application fees
• Credit report fees
• Loan origination fees
• Appraisal fees
• Home inspection fees
• Title insurance
• Homeowners insurance
• Survey fees
• Attorney fees

 Some of these are one-time expenses that are baked into your closing costs. Others, like homeowners’ insurance, are initial installment payments for ongoing responsibilities you’ll have once you take possession of the home.

How Much Are Closing Costs? 

The same Freddie Mac article goes on to say: 

“Closing costs vary greatly depending on your location and the price of your home. Typically, you should be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing fees.”

With that in mind, here’s how you can get an idea of what you’ll need to budget. Let’s say you find a home you want to purchase at today’s median price of $422,600. Based on the 2-5% Freddie Mac estimate, your closing fees could be between roughly $8,452 and $21,130.

 But keep in mind, if you’re in the market for a home above or below this price range, your numbers will be higher or lower.

Tips To Reduce Your Closing Costs

If you’re wondering if there’s any way to inch that down a little bit, NerdWallet lists a few things that could help: 

• Negotiate with the Seller: Some sellers are willing to cover part or all of these expenses — especially since homes are staying on the market a bit longer now. Sellers may be more motivated to compromise, and you’ll find you have a bit more negotiation power. So don’t hesitate to ask them for concessions like paying for the home inspection or giving you a credit toward closing costs.
• Shop Around for Home Insurance: Since rising home insurance is a challenge in many areas of the country right now, take the time to get a clear picture of all your options. Each insurance company offers their own policies and coverage, so get multiple quotes and see how they compare. Choosing a policy that provides reliable coverage at a competitive rate can make a difference.
• Look into Closing Cost Assistance: Just like there are programs out there to help with your down payment, options exist to get support with closing costs too. While they’ll vary by area, there are programs for various income levels, certain professions, and specific towns or neighborhoods too. If you want to learn more, Experian says:

“Your real estate professional should be able to steer you toward applicable programs, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains a helpful resource for finding homebuying assistance programs in every state.”

Bottom Line

Planning for the fees and payments you’ll need to cover when you’re closing on your home is important – and it doesn’t have to be a big surprise. For more tips and expert advice, partner with a team of trusted real estate professionals, including a trusted agent and lender.

Since the supply of homes for sale is growing and mortgage rates are coming down, you may be thinking it’s finally your moment to jump into the market. To make sure you’re ready, you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

That’s when a lender looks at your finances, including things like your W-2, tax returns, credit score, and bank statements, to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. After that process, you’ll get a pre-approval letter to show what you can borrow. Here are two reasons why this is essential in today’s market.

Pre-Approval Helps You Know Your Numbers

While home affordability is finally starting to show signs of improving, it’s still tight. So, it’s a good idea to talk to a lender about your loan options and how today’s changing mortgage rates will impact your monthly payment. The pre-approval process is the perfect time for that. In addition to determining the maximum amount you can borrow, pre-approval also helps you understand this piece of the puzzle. As Investopedia says:

“Consulting with a lender and obtaining a pre-approval letter allows you to discuss loan options and budgeting with the lender; this step can clarify your total house-hunting budget and the monthly mortgage payment you can afford.”

You should use this information to tailor your home search to what you’re actually comfortable with budget-wise. Since mortgage rates have inched down some lately, you may find you’re able to afford a bit more than you’d expect for your monthly payment, but you still want to avoid overextending. As CNET explains:

“In many cases, a lender may preapprove you for more than you need to spend on a home. And while it can be tempting to look at houses outside your budget, it won’t help you in the long run. Before you start touring homes, figure out how much you can realistically afford and stick to your budget.”

Pre-Approval Makes Your Offer More Appealing

And once you do find a home you want in your budget, pre-approval has another big perk. It not only makes your offer stronger, it also shows sellers you’ve already undergone a credit and financial check. When a seller sees you as a serious buyer, they may be more attracted to your offer because it seems more likely to go through. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:

“Preapproval carries more weight because it means lenders have actually done more than a cursory review of your credit and your finances, but have instead reviewed your pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. A preapproval means you’ve cleared the hurdles necessary to be approved for a mortgage up to a certain dollar amount.”

As mortgage rates trend down, more buyers are going to be ready to jump back into the market. And while demand is still limited right now, there’s the potential for competition to pick back up, especially in hot markets. So, why not stack the deck in your favor and make sure you’re putting yourself in the best position possible when you find a home you love?

Bottom Line

If you’re planning on buying a home, don’t forget to get pre-approved early in the process. It can help you get a more in-depth understanding of what you can borrow and shows sellers you mean business.