October’s Home – Buying Sweet Spot
Heads up, house hunters. The middle to end of October is shaping up to be your golden window. According to Realtor.com, it’s projected to be the best time all year to buy a home.
Why is mid-October stealing the spotlight? Let me break it down:
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What makes this week extra nice
More homes, more choices: You could see up to 32.6% more active listings than at the start of the year.
Less buyer frenzy: Demand cools off in October. Historically, buyer competition dips by 30.6% compared to summer peaks.
Slower market pace: Homes stay on the market a little longer, which means you might have room to breathe (and negotiate).
Lower prices and more cuts: Listing prices during this week tend to dip approximately 3.4% below seasonal highs, which translates to potential savings of $15,000 (based on the median home price). Also, price reductions historically spike around this time.
Fresh listings keep rolling in: Even though fall is slower for new listings, mid-October still tends to bring a healthy wave of inventory.
Looking back on the housing market in 2025
2025 has already seen a softer housing market overall. Inventory is growing, sales are cooling, and buyers aren’t feeling the intense pressure they did in previous years.
Plus, mortgage rates aren’t seasonal (a change can happen anytime), and in case you haven’t noticed, the 30-year fixed rate has already dropped below 6.25%. On Thursday, October 16, the rate was 6.23%. The Federal Reserve is also expected to cut its fed funds rate two more times before the end of the year, and that will likely push mortgage rates lower still.
But you shouldn’t wait for rates to go lower before starting your search because now through the holidays is the best time of the year to make a deal, and hopefully by the time you’re ready to make an offer and close on your mortgage loan, your lender should allow you to drop down to a lower rate. Still, the “best time” for you depends on what you value most. If price is king, waiting a bit (even past October) might yield deeper discounts. If choice is your priority, act earlier in that sweet week while the inventory is peaking.
But beware, local markets vary. Some metros hit their “best week” before or after Oct. 12–18. In fact, many Florida markets (like Miami and Tampa) tend to see their top buying window as late as December.
Here’s what the local numbers and trends suggest
In May 2025, Marion and neighboring counties like Citrus and Alachua saw rising inventory, a slower sales pace, and longer days on market. For Marion, closed sales were down around 8.5% year-over-year (YoY), while the median sale price rose about 6%, and homes took nearly 36 days to go under contract, with 80 days to close. This long closing time is why you shouldn’t wait to start shopping.
In the Ocala area, homes have been taking more time to sell, and inventory is increasing — indicating a cooler, more balanced market.
Citrus County is currently considered a buyer’s market, meaning supply exceeds demand. So, you should be able to have great selection and even better deals. Median days on the market once a home is listed for sale is about 81 days.
For smaller markets like Citrus, when inventory is strong and demand softens, buyers may have more leverage with price, repairs, or closing terms.
In September 2025, Levy County’s median price was $293,375, up 25.7% YoY, but homes are also staying listed longer, with median days on market standing at 72 days vs 46 days last year. That suggests some cooling — higher prices, but slower absorption and more leeway for buyer negotiation.
Bottom line? Now is likely your best shot at balancing options, lower competition, and better prices. Your perfect deal might depend more on timing than anything else.
If you’re curious to dive deeper into the data, metro breakdowns, and methodology, check out Realtor.com’s full report, and then come see us at Homes by AnnDavid. We’ve got great deals on quality-built, newly-constructed homes. We pay attention to the details, and craftsmanship is our priority. You can check out the homes we have available right now! Come experience the AnnDavid difference today.
