Brought to you by Scott P. Rogers, Funkhouser Real Estate Group, 540-578-0102, scott@HarrisonburgHousingToday.com
Brought to you by Scott P. Rogers, Funkhouser Real Estate Group, 540-578-0102, scott@HarrisonburgHousingToday.com
Thursday, August 6, 2026
If you've been looking for a home over the past few months and haven't found the right one yet, you might be wondering what the rest of the year has in store. So... let's talk through it, month by month.
August: Hit or Miss
Right now, in August, you'll probably see some new listings trickle onto the market. But it won't be a steady stream. A lot of people are wrapping up summer plans and getting ready for the school year, whether that's someone who works in the schools -- K-12 or at one of the local colleges or universities -- or a family with kids heading back to class. Selling a home just isn't the priority for a lot of people right now. So expect some new options, but don't expect a lot of them.
September: Things Pick Back Up
Once the school year gets going, we typically see a good number of new listings hit the market. If August felt a little slow, September is usually where sellers who held off over the summer start putting their homes up for sale. This is often one of the better months for buyers still looking.
October Through December: A Gradual Slowdown
After September, the pace starts to ease. October usually brings fewer new listings than September. November typically brings fewer than October. And December usually brings fewer than November.
So... if you're picturing a steady climb in options as the year goes on, that's probably not what will happen. It's more like a wave that builds in September and then gradually pulls back as we head toward the holidays.
What This Means for You as a Buyer
If you haven't found a home yet, September is probably your best shot at a wider selection of new listings for a while. You should also have some good options in August, but likely even more in September.
After that, though, you'll likely be working with a slowly shrinking pool of new listings each month through the end of the year. That doesn't mean buying in October, November, or December isn't possible - it just means you're likely to have fewer options as fewer homeowners are putting their homes on the market.
August: Hit or Miss
Right now, in August, you'll probably see some new listings trickle onto the market. But it won't be a steady stream. A lot of people are wrapping up summer plans and getting ready for the school year, whether that's someone who works in the schools -- K-12 or at one of the local colleges or universities -- or a family with kids heading back to class. Selling a home just isn't the priority for a lot of people right now. So expect some new options, but don't expect a lot of them.
September: Things Pick Back Up
Once the school year gets going, we typically see a good number of new listings hit the market. If August felt a little slow, September is usually where sellers who held off over the summer start putting their homes up for sale. This is often one of the better months for buyers still looking.
October Through December: A Gradual Slowdown
After September, the pace starts to ease. October usually brings fewer new listings than September. November typically brings fewer than October. And December usually brings fewer than November.
So... if you're picturing a steady climb in options as the year goes on, that's probably not what will happen. It's more like a wave that builds in September and then gradually pulls back as we head toward the holidays.
What This Means for You as a Buyer
If you haven't found a home yet, September is probably your best shot at a wider selection of new listings for a while. You should also have some good options in August, but likely even more in September.
After that, though, you'll likely be working with a slowly shrinking pool of new listings each month through the end of the year. That doesn't mean buying in October, November, or December isn't possible - it just means you're likely to have fewer options as fewer homeowners are putting their homes on the market.
