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\n <\/div>\n \n Find an Agent Who Knows Your California Market<\/h3>\n
If you’re looking to purchase a home in California, HomeLight can connect you with a top Buyer’s agent who knows the local market, and the best time to buy. Our free Agent Match tool analyzes over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent has the experience you need.<\/p>\n \n
When is the best time of year to buy a house in California?<\/h2>\n1. Summer (best selection)<\/h3>\n
Summer provides California home shoppers with the highest selection of properties for sale. Specifically, the end of May and June typically see the most home sales<\/a>. However, summer is often cited as the most expensive time to buy a house \u2014 with prices as much as 16% higher in June as compared to winter months<\/a>. This is partly because many families want to purchase a house before their children start a new school year.<\/p>\n Additionally, buyers often use summer vacation days to move into a new house, and they have the most mobility during the summer months. Because of these reasons, many industry publications will advise you to start your home search in January or February for a late spring or summer closing.<\/p>\n According to Jennifer and Andrew Oldham<\/a>, a top-performing real estate team in California\u2019s Bay Area<\/a>, \u201cListings typically get posted after the Superbowl and then keep increasing through August. The least available inventory is during the winter holidays.\u201d<\/p>\n Spring<\/a> is second to summer only in inventory and price levels for the California housing market. Spring carries with it a sense of new beginnings. The season blossoms with property selections and open house<\/a> events that can enhance the excitement of the house-hunting experience.<\/p>\n According to Forbes, early fall<\/a> can also be a good time to buy a home because inventory in some markets is still plentiful, and those sellers are often eager to close a deal before the winter season begins.<\/p>\n Late fall to winter \u2014 specifically, through the holidays \u2014 can present opportunities for homebuyers to get a good deal<\/a>, with California data showing that sales typically see another uptick in December<\/a> as buyers strive to wrap up financial matters before the end of the year.<\/p>\n Echoing the Oldhams\u2019 observations, data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 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<\/a>. In addition, builders can be incentivized to negotiate to clear new construction inventory at the end of the year.<\/p>\n Ultimately, the best time of year to buy a house in California 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<\/a>, the best time to buy is when everyone else isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n2. Spring (good selection)<\/h3>\n
3. Fall (fewer options, better price)<\/h3>\n
4. Winter (best price)<\/h3>\n