If buying a home is still on your 2026 goal list, don't assume you've waited too long. In fact, you may be entering one of the most interesting buying periods of the entire year.

Mortgage rates remain challenging. Affordability is still a major concern. And buying a home in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx isn't inexpensive. But something else is happening at the same time:

Buyers have more homes to choose from, properties are taking longer to sell, competition typically cools after summer, and some sellers may become more willing to negotiate.

That's why fall can create opportunities that weren't necessarily available during the busier spring and summer months.

According to new Realtor.com® research, the national Best Time To Buy in 2026 is projected to be September 27 through October 3.

During that period, buyers nationally could encounter approximately 13.3% more active listings than an average week, about 30% less buyer competition compared with the annual peak, homes sitting approximately 13 days longer than during the fastest part of the year, and listing prices approximately 3.5% below their seasonal peak.

For a median-priced home, Realtor.com estimates that seasonal price difference could represent approximately $14,000 compared with the summer peak. But there's an important local twist for

New York buyers. New York's “Best Week” Came Earlier—But That Doesn't Mean You Missed Your Chance

Real estate is local. Realtor.com's research found that the New York–Newark–Jersey City metro's modeled Best Week was September 6–12, earlier than the national September 27–October 3 period. Historically, during that New York metro window, Realtor.com found:

• Active listings were about 7.9% higher than an average week
• Buyer competition was approximately 24.3% below its annual peak
• Homes spent about 18 additional days on the market compared with the fastest period
• Median listing prices were about 3.2% below their seasonal peak
• New listings were approximately 15.3% above an average week

Does that mean you missed your opportunity because September 12 passed? No.

A “Best Week” isn't an expiration date. It is a historical measurement of when several buyer-friendly conditions tend to overlap most strongly. The broader seasonal shift can continue through September, October, and even later in the year.

Realtor.com itself notes that buyers should use this period strategically rather than treating one particular week as a deadline. That's especially important in New York City, where conditions can differ substantially by borough, neighborhood, property type, and price range.

Inventory Is the Highest It's Been in Years

One of the biggest changes helping buyers right now is choice. The National Association of REALTORS® reported that total existing-home inventory reached approximately 1.62 million homes in August 2026. That's up 5.9% from one year earlier.

More importantly, it was the first time inventory exceeded 1.6 million homes since November 2019. There was approximately a 4.9-month supply of unsold homes nationally.

That's a very different environment from the extreme inventory shortages buyers experienced during parts of the pandemic-era housing market. More inventory doesn't automatically mean every buyer suddenly has unlimited choices.

But it can change the conversation. Instead of feeling like: “This is the only house available, so we have to take it.” you may have an opportunity to say: “Let's compare this one with the other three that fit our needs.” That difference matters.

More Choices Can Mean Fewer Compromises

When inventory is extremely tight, buyers may have to compromise on almost everything.

• Location.
• Condition.
• Parking.
• Bedrooms.
• Backyard.
• Layout.
• Commute.
• Price.

Sometimes even basic must-haves. More inventory can give you room to be more selective.

For a Staten Island buyer, that might mean comparing a townhouse in New Springville with a semi-attached home in Graniteville, a detached property in Great Kills, or a condo in Grasmere.

Maybe you're comparing Annadale, Eltingville, Huguenot, Tottenville, Westerleigh, Bulls Head, Mariners Harbor, or Port Richmond. The goal isn't simply to find more houses.

It's to find more realistic choices within your budget.

Fall Can Reduce Buyer Competition

Spring and early summer typically bring more buyers into the market. That can mean busy open houses, faster decisions, and greater competition for desirable homes.

By fall, some buyers have already purchased. Others pause their searches.

Families who wanted to move before the school year may have already made their decisions. That seasonal change can create breathing room for buyers who remain active.

Nationally, Realtor.com expects buyer competition during the September 27–October 3 window to be approximately 30.1% below the year's peak, based on views per property.

That doesn't mean desirable NYC homes suddenly stop receiving multiple offers. A well-priced home in a popular neighborhood can still move quickly.

But the broader trend may give prepared buyers more opportunities to negotiate rather than immediately feeling forced to compete.

Homes Staying on the Market Longer Can Be Good for Buyers

Another advantage is time. During the national Best Week, Realtor.com projects homes will spend approximately 13 days longer on the market compared with the fastest part of the year.

In the New York metro's modeled Best Week, the difference was approximately 18 days.

That's meaningful. When homes sell extremely quickly, buyers can feel pressured to make one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives almost immediately. A slower market may give you more opportunity to:

• Review comparable sales.
• Understand the property's condition.
• Discuss financing.
• Evaluate monthly costs.
• Complete inspections.
• Ask questions.
• Compare alternatives.

And decide whether the house truly works for you. You still need to act when the right opportunity appears. But prepared doesn't have to mean panicked.

Sellers May Be More Willing To Negotiate

Imagine a homeowner listed in May. Now it's September.

They've had showings.

Maybe an offer fell apart.

Maybe they reduced the price.

Maybe they've already moved.

Maybe they're trying to close before the holidays.

Maybe their next purchase depends on selling this property.

That seller may view your offer differently than someone who listed yesterday and expects ten offers over the weekend. This is where having an experienced buyer's agent can become particularly valuable.

Negotiation isn't always about asking: “How much below asking can we offer?”

It can involve the entire transaction. Depending on the property and seller, there may be opportunities involving:

• Purchase price
• Seller concessions
• Closing-cost credits
• Repair negotiations
• Closing date
• Included items
• Inspection terms
• Mortgage-rate buydowns

Every property and transaction is different, and seller concessions are subject to loan-program and appraisal requirements. But when sellers have fewer competing buyers, there may be more room for a conversation.

Mortgage Rates Are Still the Challenge

We shouldn't pretend everything suddenly became affordable because fall arrived. It didn't.

According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 6.76% as of September 10, 2026, up from 6.71% the previous week. A year earlier, the average was 6.35%.

Rates matter because they directly affect monthly payments and purchasing power. But buyers sometimes make the mistake of watching only the mortgage rate. Your actual deal is influenced by several numbers:

• Purchase price.
• Interest rate.
• Down payment.
• Property taxes.
• Insurance.
• HOA or maintenance charges when applicable.
• Closing costs.
• Potential seller concessions.

A slightly higher mortgage rate combined with a better purchase price and stronger negotiating position could sometimes produce a more attractive overall opportunity than waiting for rates to fall while buyer competition increases. That isn't guaranteed.

But it's why we believe buyers should evaluate the entire transaction, not one headline number.

What If Mortgage Rates Eventually Fall?

Many buyers tell us: “I'll buy when rates come down.”

That's understandable. Lower rates can improve affordability.

But there is another possibility buyers should consider. If mortgage rates fall meaningfully, buyers who have been sitting on the sidelines may come back into the market.

More buyers competing for the same desirable homes could reduce some of today's negotiating leverage.

Nobody can tell you exactly where mortgage rates will be six months from now. That's why trying to perfectly time both home prices and mortgage rates can become frustrating. Instead, ask:

Can I comfortably afford the payment today?

Does the property fit my needs?

Is the price supported by the market?

Do I have enough reserves after closing?

Is this a home I would be comfortable owning for several years?

Those questions are within your control.

First-Time Buyers: Don't Assume You Need 20% Down

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear from renters is: “I can't buy because I don't have 20% down.”

A 20% down payment can offer advantages, but it isn't universally required.

Depending on eligibility and the property, buyers may have access to mortgage programs requiring substantially less upfront. That can include certain conventional programs, FHA financing, VA financing for eligible borrowers, and other programs.

New York City also has assistance programs that qualified first-time buyers may want to investigate.

The right starting point is a conversation with a knowledgeable mortgage professional who can review your income, credit, assets, debts, and available programs. Don't eliminate yourself from homeownership based on assumptions. Find out what you actually qualify for.

Staten Island Buyers May Have More Ways To Stretch Their Budget

Staten Island offers a wide variety of housing types. Depending on your budget, you may compare:

• Condos
• Townhouses
• Semi-attached homes
• Detached homes
• Legal two-family properties
• Homes needing cosmetic updates
• Move-in-ready properties

Sometimes affordability comes from changing the neighborhood.

Sometimes it comes from changing the property type.

Sometimes it means purchasing something that needs cosmetic work instead of paying a premium for a completely renovated house.

For buyers willing to compare neighborhoods and property types, fall's additional inventory can create possibilities that weren't available earlier in the year.

Brooklyn, Queens, and Bronx Buyers Should Think the Same Way

The strategy doesn't stop at Staten Island. A buyer searching in Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst may compare other Brooklyn neighborhoods or different property types.

Someone looking in Bayside or Fresh Meadows might also examine Jamaica, Queens Village, Bellerose, Forest Hills, or other Queens neighborhoods depending on their priorities.

A Bronx buyer may compare Riverdale, Throgs Neck Country Club, Pelham Bay, Morris Park, and other communities.

The objective isn't to convince you to live somewhere you don't want to live. It's to show you all of the realistic possibilities your budget creates. That's where a good buyer consultation becomes valuable.

Don't Wait Until the “Best Week” To Get Ready

This may be the most important part. If you're thinking about buying this fall, start preparing now.

You don't want to discover the perfect home and then begin figuring out financing. Talk with a lender.

Understand your comfortable monthly payment.

Get pre-approved when appropriate.

Know how much cash you'll need.

Discuss closing costs.

Identify your must-haves.

Separate those from your nice-to-haves.

And start watching the neighborhoods you're interested in.

That way, when the right property appears, you're prepared to make an informed decision.

What Bhuiyan Properties® Can Do for Buyers

At Bhuiyan Properties®, we don't believe our job is simply opening doors. Our job is helping you understand what you're buying and helping you navigate the transaction from the search through closing. That means helping you:

• Understand neighborhoods.
• Compare properties.
• Review comparable sales.
• Recognize value.
• Identify potential concerns.
• Coordinate with your lender and attorney.
• Structure an offer.
• Negotiate terms.
• Navigate inspections.
• Stay on top of the transaction.
• And keep moving toward closing.

For first-time buyers especially, having the right team around you can make a complicated process much easier to understand.

Bottom Line: Your Buying Window May Be Opening

If you want to purchase a home in 2026, don't assume you missed your opportunity because spring and summer are over. The opposite may be true.

Realtor.com's research identifies September 27 through October 3 as the national Best Week To Buy in 2026, with more inventory, less competition, longer market times, and prices below the seasonal peak.

Here in the broader New York metro, the modeled peak buyer-friendly week arrived earlier in September—but the opportunity doesn't disappear because one week passed.

National inventory has reached its highest level since 2019. Fall competition tends to ease.

Some properties are staying available longer. And some sellers may be more willing to negotiate as the year moves toward the holidays.

Mortgage rates remain challenging, so every purchase still has to make financial sense.

But if you've been waiting for more choices, more time, and potentially more negotiating power, this may be the season worth taking another look.

If you're thinking about buying in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx, call Bhuiyan Properties® at (347) 450-6855.

Tell us what you're looking for, your budget, and what's been holding you back. We'll help you understand today's market and determine what opportunities may be available.

You can also browse available homes or book an appointment directly through this page—on the right side when viewing from a computer or toward the bottom on mobile.

The best time to buy isn't simply when a calendar says so. It's when the market gives you an opportunity and you're financially prepared to take advantage of it.

Bhuiyan Properties® — There For You Every Step®

Sources:

• Realtor.com® Economic Research — The Best Time To Buy a Home Is the Week of Sept. 27–Oct. 3
• Realtor.com® — September 27–October 3 Marks the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2026
• National Association of REALTORS® — August 2026 Existing-Home Sales
• National Association of REALTORS® — Existing-Home Sales Housing Snapshot
• Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey®
• Freddie Mac — Mortgage Rates and Affordability