When Is the Best Time to Buy a Home in San Diego?
Let’s get real. There isn’t one “perfect” time to buy a home — but depending on your goals, certain months give you more leverage, more options, or better pricing. Here’s how it breaks down for San Diego buyers.
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1. Late Fall to Mid-Winter (October – February)
Best for deals and negotiation power.
During the holiday season, most buyers step back, and sellers who keep their homes on the market are serious about selling. That means fewer bidding wars and more flexibility on price and repairs.
Downside: Inventory is lower, so you’ll have fewer homes to choose from.
2. Spring to Early Summer (March – June)
Best for selection and timing your move.
This is when the majority of listings hit the market. You’ll see the best variety of homes, which is ideal for families planning to move during school breaks.
Downside: This is peak competition season. Sellers know demand is strong, and multiple offers are common.
3. Late Summer (July – September)
Balanced but still competitive.
By late summer, some sellers are more motivated to make a deal before fall. There’s still decent inventory, but buyers often have more negotiating room—especially if they’re flexible on timing.
Current Market Insight (2025)
With mortgage rates hovering around 6%–6.5%, buyers who act before rates drop again have an advantage. When rates fall, demand surges and prices tend to jump quickly.
Right now, smart buyers are negotiating seller credits and rate buydowns, effectively reducing their payments by 1–2% for the first few years. In some cases, this can save tens of thousands of dollars compared to waiting.
George’s Bottom Line
The best time to buy isn’t about the calendar—it’s when your finances, goals, and leverage line up. In today’s market, motivated buyers can still win because there’s less competition and more flexible sellers.
If you’d like to see which San Diego homes offer seller credits or rate buydowns, get a custom list and timing analysis today.
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