Late Summer Brings Buyer Deals to NYC Suburbs

Redfin reports that late August is the prime period for homebuyers to seek discounts in Nassau County, New York, and Newark, New Jersey, alongside markets including Austin, Portland, and parts of California. The brokerage’s new report, prepared with Home Economics, finds that discounts from original asking prices generally increase in late summer and peak in early fall. The analysis covers price drops and buyer-seller negotiations. For buyers in the New York City suburbs identified, timing may be especially relevant because both are seller’s markets.

Late August Opportunity

Redfin’s analysis places Anaheim, Austin, Nassau County, Newark, Oakland, Portland, Sacramento, and San Jose in the late-August window for the strongest potential savings. Atlanta, Denver, and Seattle tend to see their best buyer deals in early September.

The report indicates that discounts commonly plateau or shrink as winter approaches, while local market patterns can cause the timing of peak savings to vary.

Asad Khan, Senior Economist at Redfin, said:

“Each homebuyer has their own timeline based on personal circumstances. But seasonality trends suggest buyers in these places looking to score a bargain may want to hit the pavement as summer comes to a close and the leaves start falling. Sellers who put their home in the market in the spring or early summer and haven't offloaded it yet may be open to dropping their price or offering concessions.”

Texas and Fall Markets

Mid-September is identified as the prime dealmaking period in Baltimore, Dallas, Fort Worth, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Nashville, San Antonio, and San Diego. Houston, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., are expected to reach their strongest buyer-discount window in late September.

Many markets with late-August and September deal windows are also buyer’s markets, where buyers hold negotiating power. Redfin reports that in most of Texas, as well as Nashville and Atlanta, there are roughly twice as many home sellers as buyers.

Vanessa Leimback, Redfin Premier Agent at Redfin, said:

“Buyers have the power and the opportunity to get a great deal on a home they would have been priced out of two years ago. First-time buyers are getting qualified, applying for first-time homebuyer incentives and getting concessions from sellers—often to help buy down the mortgage rate, and closing the deal. I'm also seeing a lot of homeowners who bought pre-2019 selling their home and using their equity to upgrade to a larger house with more land.”

Balancing Timing and Choice

For buyers considering Nassau County or Newark, the report highlights the value of monitoring seasonal opportunities in seller’s markets. Redfin economists also advise buyers to weigh the availability of homes against the level of competition, since more inventory can expand choice while stronger competition can require more aggressive offers.

The findings offer a useful timing guide for buyers planning a move, while recognizing that personal circumstances and local housing conditions remain central to any purchase decision.