Holiday Season Is the Best Time For Homebuyers to Score a Deal in These 7 U.S. Metros

• Early November is typically the best time of the year for house hunters to score a bargain in Milwaukee, Riverside and Tampa, according to a Redfin and Home Economics analysis
• In Detroit and three more Florida metros, mid-December is the dealmaking sweet spot for buyers

SEATTLE, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Early November is the best time for homebuyers to score a bargain in Milwaukee, Riverside, CA and Tampa, FL, according to a new report from Redfin, the real estate brokerage powered by Rocket.

In Detroit and three Florida metros—Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach—house hunters may benefit from holding out a little longer. Mid-December is typically the best time of year to get a deal in those places.

This is according to a Home Economics and Redfin analysis of housing market data, which identifies the time of year when discounts off a home's original asking price—through price drops and/or negotiations between buyer and seller—typically approach their seasonal peak.

Nationwide, discounts tend to peak in early fall before plateauing or shrinking as winter approaches. But housing is local, and in these seven metros, peak discounts typically arrive later. Homebuying slows as the holidays approach, leaving sellers with fewer potential buyers—giving the buyers who remain more room to negotiate. And some late-year listings have been sitting for months, making sellers more motivated to strike a deal before the end of the year.

"There's a tradeoff to shopping for a home late in the year: Buyers may have fewer fresh listings to choose from, but they also face less competition, and many sellers are ready to make a deal," said Redfin Senior Economist Asad Khan. "A seller who has been waiting months for an offer may be more willing to negotiate on price or other costs than they were in the spring. Buyers shouldn't purchase a home just because the calendar says it's a good time for deals, but those who find the right home may have room to negotiate."

Florida Buyers Have More Bargaining Power Before the Snowbirds Arrive

In Florida, the best deals for buyers typically arrive in November or December, partly due to weather. South Florida's biggest wave of buyers—retirees and seasonal residents—often show up after the new year, when the weather is sunny and comfortable in Florida but cold in the Northeast.

"Local buyers have a good shot at getting a deal in November, mainly because it's just before the snowbirds arrive," said Todd Edwards, a Redfin Premier agent in Tampa. "House hunters have a window of opportunity to negotiate on listings that have been lingering on the market since summer: Sellers want to close a deal before the new year, and there's often not much competition from out-of-towners yet."

Hurricane season, which runs through early fall, also keeps some house hunters away and leaves lingering listings ripe for discounts once it passes. Additionally, Florida's high concentration of luxury homes tend to sell below asking price, especially late in the year when sellers are eager to get those properties off their books.

Winter Slowdown Brings Bargains to Milwaukee and Detroit

The story is a bit different in Milwaukee and Detroit. Those northern metros have a fairly short selling season: Cold-weather markets compress the window for touring and closing on homes; sellers keep at it later into fall, trying to close a deal before the depth of winter hits and buyers hibernate.

That delays the usual seasonal slowdown until November in Milwaukee and December in Detroit, later than in most of the country.

Seasonal Advantage May Be Bigger Than Usual This Winter

The November and December discount windows in Milwaukee, Riverside, Detroit and much of Florida aren't a one-time event; they show up as a recurring pattern each year, regardless of whether the broader market favors buyers or sellers.

But the seasonal advantage could be particularly useful to buyers this year. The U.S. housing market is already firmly tilted toward buyers, with 63% more sellers than buyers—the biggest imbalance in Redfin records dating back to 2013. Miami is one of the strongest buyer's markets in the nation, with more than twice as many sellers as buyers. Tampa, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Riverside and Detroit are also buyer's markets.

Milwaukee is one of just five seller's markets in the country. With more buyers than sellers in Milwaukee, discounts aren't commonplace—so buyers there may want to pay extra attention to seasonal patterns.

Homebuyers Should Consider Other Factors, Too

The best time to buy a home is more complex than the week when buyers are most likely to score a discount.

There's typically a tradeoff between selection and savings. New listings generally peak months before the best deals arrive. For instance, Milwaukee typically has the most new listings in mid-May and the most fresh inventory in mid-July, then its best deals arrive in early November. Detroit's new listings typically peak in early August and fresh inventory in early September, months before its mid-December dealmaking sweet spot.

That means buyers who wait until November or December may have fewer homes to choose from. But those who prioritize price—and are flexible about their timing—may find sellers more receptive to negotiations.

To view the full report, including interactive charts and methodology, please visit: https://www.redfin.com/news/best-time-to-get-deal-november-december

About Redfin 
Redfin is a technology-driven real estate company with the country's most-visited real estate brokerage website. As part of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT), Redfin is creating an integrated homeownership platform from search to close to make the dream of homeownership more affordable and accessible for everyone. Redfin's clients can see homes first with on-demand tours, easily apply for a home loan with Rocket Mortgage, and save thousands in fees while working with a top local agent.

You can find more information about Redfin and get the latest housing market data and research at https://www.redfin.com/news. For more information about Rocket Companies, visit https://www.rocketcompanies.com.

SOURCE Redfin