From Price Drops to Less Competition: What Each Season Offers First-Time Buyers

Buying your first home on Long Island in 2025? Grab your coffee and strap in—because the market isn’t slowing down just because you're finally ready. While your parents may have bought a house with couch change and a handshake, today’s first-time buyers are navigating interest rates hovering around 6.75%, limited inventory, and sellers who still think it’s 2021.

Let’s break down what each season brings to the table—because yes, the timing matters, and no, your cousin’s real estate advice from Buffalo does not apply here.

Spring: Where Dreams Meet Bidding Wars

Welcome to the Hunger Games of Long Island real estate. Spring historically brings the highest inventory levels—but also the most competition. In Nassau and Suffolk, listings rise by 30–40% between February and May. According to the Long Island Board of Realtors (LIBOR), the median home price in Nassau peaked at $705K in April 2025—an 8% increase from 2024. Why? Because everyone’s trying to beat each other to the punch.

For first-time buyers, this means more options, but also more heartbreak. Expect to offer over asking, waive contingencies, and write a love letter to the seller—because nothing says "financial stability" like emotionally begging for a house with a 1970s kitchen.

Summer: Hot Temps, Hotter Listings, Sweaty Competition

Summer is like spring with less pollen and more desperation. People are rushing to move before the school year starts, so demand skyrockets. But by late July, the market softens slightly. Homes that didn’t get snatched up in spring often linger—and that’s where you, the savvy buyer, come in.

Redfin reports a 5% price drop on listings that sit more than 30 days in Nassau County. That’s your chance to swoop in with a strong but fair offer. Just be ready for sellers still emotionally attached to April’s Zillow fantasy.

Fall: The Season of Second Chances (and Discounts)

Ah, autumn. PSLs, football, and sellers who are suddenly very open to negotiation. By September, competition cools and prices start to plateau. October is known for the highest buyer leverage, according to ATTOM Data Solutions, which found that buyers save an average of $10,000 in fall compared to spring across the Northeast.

Less competition = less drama. You can negotiate repairs, keep your inspection contingency, and maybe even get some closing costs covered. It’s the season of real estate redemption—and you don’t even have to rake leaves yet.

Winter: The Bargain Hunter’s Dream (With Frostbite)

Winter gets a bad rap, but let’s be honest—it’s the best-kept secret. Inventory hits rock bottom, sure, but so does buyer activity. Sellers who list in January usually have a reason (divorce, relocation, or sheer optimism), and that urgency can work in your favor.

Zillow data shows homes sold in January and February close for 2–3% less than peak-season listings. It’s not huge, but when you're trying to scrape together a down payment while paying $4.29 for gas and $6 for iced coffee, every dollar matters.

Bring a flashlight and wear boots—this is gritty house hunting. But it’s also where deals live.

So... When Should You Buy?

Here’s the truth: the “right” season is the one that aligns with your readiness, not just the weather. But knowing market dynamics gives you an edge. Want more options? Aim for spring. Want less competition? Fall and winter are your besties. Want to suffer through open houses in 95-degree weather while mentally calculating the cost of central air? Welcome to July.

Ready to Buy, But Not Sure When to Jump? Let's Break It Down—Over Coffee or Contracts.

Timing the market is tricky. Timing it with someone who lives and breathes Long Island real estate? That’s a game-changer.

I’m Dean Miller, Long Island’s only AI-certified real estate agent. Whether you’re buying in flip-flops or snow boots, I’ll help you navigate the market with strategy, honesty, and a sense of humor—because buying your first home shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.

Call, text, or DM me—before another listing goes under contract while you’re still “thinking about it.”