![\"homelight](\"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/ccprototypev5\/images\/logo-small-cta.png\"){kind=logo}
\n <\/div>\n \n Find a Top Buyer's Agent for All Texas Seasons<\/h3>\n
HomeLight can connect you with top agents in your selected Texas market. Whether you\u2019re buying or selling, we analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.<\/p>\n \n
When is the best time of year to buy a house in Texas?<\/h2>\n
Overall, home sales in Texas set a record<\/a> in 2021, topping 417,000. Then, \u201cNearly 30% of total home sales vanished from December 2021 to December 2022,\u201d according to the Texas Real Estate Research Center<\/a>. This decrease in demand, coupled with higher inventory, can give buyers an advantage. But when is the best time to buy a house in Texas?<\/p>\n Summer provides home shoppers with the highest selection of properties for sale. In Texas, specifically, June and July typically see the most home sales<\/a>. However, that can mean more competition amongst buyers \u2014 and prices potentially as much as 10% higher<\/a>.<\/p>\n From May through August, 40% of annual home sales occur<\/a>, with an average of 2.1 million purchase transactions nationwide. But, along with the likelihood of higher prices comes the best selection and the fact that \u2014 with more homes on the market \u2014 it can sometimes be easier to negotiate your offer price. The days are long, the weather is good, and families want to get settled before school starts.<\/p>\n Spring<\/a> is second only to summer in inventory and price for the housing market, although, in Texas, early to mid-autumn can also be a busy time for real estate. Even during the early stages of the pandemic, September was becoming a busy month for housing sales<\/a> in Texas.<\/p>\n But Spring carries with it a sense of new beginnings. The season blossoms with property selections and open house events that can enhance the excitement of the house-hunting experience.<\/p>\n According to Time magazine, early fall<\/a> can be a good time to buy a home because inventory is still plentiful, and many sellers are eager to sell before the winter season begins. In Texas, third-quarter 2022 listings<\/a> were up 61% over the same period the previous year, with September and October sales only slightly off August sales.<\/p>\n Late fall to winter \u2013 specifically, through the holidays \u2013 can be a great time for homebuyers to get a good deal<\/a>, with Texas data indicating sales remain somewhat strong in November and December. But as fall wanes, the housing market begins to cool, providing fewer buying options.<\/p>\n Data from the National Association of Realtors indicate that winter typically has the least sales activity<\/a> \u2014 with January and February being the slowest. But prices tend to be lower and buyers can often get eager sellers to offer concessions<\/a>, such as covering closing costs. In addition, Leonard points out that builders can be incentivized to negotiate to clear new construction inventory at the end of the year, offering deals in December that are no longer available in January.<\/p>\n However, listings tend to plummet in January and February in Texas, with Q1 2022 indicating a three-month decline in new listings<\/a>, compared with the previous year. It\u2019s important to point out that days on market in 2022 were fewer in Q1, so, while inventory is down, buyers are still hungry.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the best time of year to buy a house in Texas depends on your goals. Are you budget-minded, or do you want a larger pool of properties to choose from? If the home is an investment, Leonard says the best time to buy is when everyone else isn\u2019t<\/i>.<\/p>\n To pick the best time for you to buy a house in Texas, the first step is to partner with an experienced agent<\/a> in your selected market.<\/p>\n According to our Q2 2020 Top Agent Insight survey, nearly 40% of agents<\/a> identified Thursday as the best day to list homes, followed by Wednesday. That could be due to the findings of a USA Today report indicating that homes listed on Thursdays sold for more money and in less time<\/a>: an average of $3,015 more than homes listed on Mondays and five days faster than homes listed on Sundays.<\/p>\n The difference could be due to Thursday listings getting more weekend showings, which results in more competition. So, Monday may be the best day if you\u2019re looking for a deal.<\/p>\n \u201cMost people look at houses on the weekend,\u201d Leonard acknowledges. Putting in an offer on a Monday could mean less competition and more negotiating power.<\/p>\n Homes tend to sell above listing price during the spring and summer, with May being the worst time to buy a house<\/a> if you want a good price \u2014 specifically, May 23, May 27, and May 29.<\/p>\n According to research<\/a> from ATTOM, October is the month buyers can expect to find the best deals, although the best individual days are Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 19, Dec. 26, and Jan 9.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s really no bad time,\u201d Leonard states, although she says prices are more negotiable in the fall and winter.<\/p>\n Texas attracts buyers from California, although Leonard says most Austin buyers are from other parts of the Lone Star state. They come for tech jobs and good weather, she says, with the local music scene serving as a further enticement.<\/p>\n While Texas is the second-largest and fastest-growing state, its housing market is more affordable<\/a> in comparison with California, Florida, and Arizona, and demand is outpacing supply<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although prices in hot markets<\/a> are expected to come down a little, the housing market is not anticipated to take a hit as it did after the financial crisis in 2008. Because supply still lags behind demand, it\u2019s still a bit of a seller\u2019s market, but today\u2019s buyers have a little more leverage.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a great time for an investor to buy,\u201d Leonard says. \u201cYou want to buy when others aren\u2019t; that\u2019s the prime time to buy. Who cares about the interest rate? They can always refinance later.\u201d<\/p>\n If a buyer is looking to own a home, she says, \u201cYou can\u2019t time the market. Buy when the right property is available.\u201d<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to buy a house in Texas, there are a few steps to follow<\/a>.<\/p>\n Extreme weather<\/a> has a more significant impact than seasonal fluctuations on both house prices and sales in Texas.<\/p>\n Hurricanes hurt sales. Not only do they often delay closings<\/a>, but they can also force fresh evaluations and appraisals<\/a> looking for storm damage. They can cause a significant drop in sales for a long time and even kill deals.<\/p>\n On the other hand, as Leonard points out, it\u2019s not like selling a home in the north during a cold, snowy winter that inhibits access. She feels that normal Texas weather has little impact on sales or prices.<\/p>\n Moves are sometimes dictated by jobs or family circumstances. When choice allows, it can be wise to apply the 90\/10 rule<\/a> by selecting a location that will impact 90% of your life.<\/p>\n With more than 1,220 municipalities in the Lone Star state, there are many options. Some of the best Texas cities to buy a home in include:<\/p>\n It can be difficult to get a bargain in a more active housing market, but there are a few to be found.<\/p>\n Look for homes that have been on the market for 45 days or more<\/a> if you hope to knock down the price or seek better terms \u2013 such as the seller paying closing costs.<\/p>\n Leonard likes to search the remarks and seller\u2019s disclosures<\/a>. She\u2019s looking for terms like estate sale, outstanding taxes, divorce, or vacant.<\/p>\n Cash is king<\/a> in the competitive Texas housing market, but Leonard says some sellers will still take the risk on contingencies and financing to hold out for the highest price.<\/p>\n People are attracted by the absence of personal state income tax in Texas, but when you\u2019re calculating costs, keep in mind that property tax rates<\/a> can vary widely, depending on where you live in the Jumbo State<\/a>.<\/p>\n Texas does not permit dual agency<\/a>, but Leonard explains that agents can serve as intermediaries. \u201cI can represent the buyer, provide comps \u2014 but I can\u2019t give advice or my opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n When representing a buyer, she likes to get a list of \u201cwants\u201d so she can screen properties. \u201cIs it in a flood plain? Is there aluminum wiring? Has there been a foundation<\/a> repair? Does the property back onto a railroad, commercial property, or busy road? What\u2019s the tax rate? Is there an HOA?\u201d<\/p>\n1. Summer (best selection)<\/h3>\n
2. Spring (good selection)<\/h3>\n
3. Fall (fewer options, better price)<\/h3>\n
4. Winter (best price)<\/h3>\n
Are there \u2018best days\u2019 to buy a house in Texas?<\/h2>\n
Are there \u2018worst days\u2019 or \u2018worst times\u2019 to buy a house in Texas?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s unique about the Texas housing market?<\/h2>\n
Is it a good time to buy a Texas house in the current market?<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s the best way to get started buying a house in Texas?<\/h2>\n
\n
How does weather affect house prices or sales in Texas?<\/h2>\n
What are the best cities to buy a house in Texas?<\/h2>\n
\n
How else might I get a better deal on a home in Texas?<\/h2>\n
A few final tips for Texas homebuyers<\/h2>\n