Is this the best TIME to buy a Boston condo?

Across the United States, the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 is the best time to buy a house this year. In Boston, though, buyers will have to wait until the week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 31 for the most favorable homebuying conditions, according to a new report from Realtor.com.

Nationwide, homebuyers could have up to 31% more active listings to choose from during the best week, as well as a median list price 3.5% lower than peak pricing. Buyers are also likely to see 1.2% more price reductions than average.

Meanwhile, competition is more likely to be decreased during that week, down 30.1% from the annual peak and down 14% from the average week. Homes also spend about 13 days longer on average.

“Home shoppers heading into fall will find an opportunity that has been hard to come by in recent years: more choices and less urgency. That window has consistently landed in early fall, and this year it arrives a bit earlier than the last couple of years as inventory and price reductions both peaked earlier this past fall,” Hannah Jones, senior economist for Realtor.com, said in a press release. “The week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 brings together the market conditions buyers value most — elevated inventory, less competition and prices that have eased from their seasonal high — giving prepared buyers more room to compare homes and negotiate with confidence.”

In Boston, specifically, buyers who wait until the last week of October to buy stand to see 20.9% more active listings, 39.8% less competition, median list prices 6.7% lower than peak pricing and 1.7% more price reductions. Listings are also likely to spend 22 more days on the market than during peak buying times.

“Buyers should use this window strategically rather than treating one week as a deadline,” Jones said. “Shopping earlier in the fall may provide the broadest selection of fresh listings, while waiting later in the season may bring additional price flexibility. The right choice depends on a buyer’s budget, timeline and local market, but preparation — including understanding a realistic monthly payment and getting pre-approved — will be especially valuable this fall.”

Ford Realty Menu of Option and Buying Listings for Massachusetts home buyers

Buyers receive 60% rebate from our portion of the broker fee

As a home seller, it sounds like you have a solid grasp of the current 2026 landscape. Times are changing and we plan to keep up with it. We now provide 1% listing fee for Boston and North Shore areas. Here is a concise breakdown of how those Ford Realty tiers typically function based on the service levels you’ve identified:

1. Basic “Entry Only” – $500.00

• Visibility: Your home is listed on the local MLS, which syndicates to Zillow, Realtor.com, and local brokerage sites.
• Your Role: You are the primary point of contact. You handle photography, scheduling all showings, vetting buyers, and all contract negotiations.
• Best for: Experienced sellers or those comfortable managing real estate paperwork and logistics independently. 

2. Flat Fee (Assisted) – Starting at $1,500.00

• The Upgrade: The broker takes professional photos and handles the listing setup.
• Added Support: You gain professional guidance for the initial setup, ensuring the listing looks polished to attract higher-quality leads.
• Broker Role: 60-day listing, one open house per month, schedule day and evening showings. The negative is that the full fee is due after 60 days even if the house/condo doesn’t sell or go under agreement.

3. Full-Service – 1% Commission 

• The Full Package: Professional photography and floor plans are included.
• Active Management: The broker hosts one open house per month and handles day/evening showings.
• Logistics: They are physically present for the BFD smoke detector inspection and the home inspection, taking significant stress off your plate. 

Key Financial Reminders

• Buyer’s Side: Regardless of your flat fee, remember to factor in the 2%–3% commission for the buyer’s agent to keep your home competitive.
• Tax/Closing: Budget for the MA transfer tax ($4.56 per $1,000) and ensure all Condo fees are cleared to avoid delays at closing. 

BUYERS REBATE

Boston and North Shore Buyers: We provide a 55% rebate of our commission to you, as the buyer, for homes priced over 500,000.