Summer 2025 is the Right Time to Buy a Home in Orange County

Here are the questions buyers have been asking us for the last 10+ years(!) that we can now answer the way they were always hoping we would:

1. When are there going to be more homes available in Orange County?

Inventory is up over 51% in June 2025 over June 2024. More inventory means more variety, better chances of finding the right fit, and less pressure to make hasty decisions.

2. Are sellers’ negotiable on their price?

Average days on market in Orange County were over 40 days in June 2025, a number that we haven’t seen in an Orange County summer in years. Most sellers will reduce their prices after 2-4 weeks on the market, giving buyers a little more ability to compare and strategize.

3. Is every home going to have a bidding war won by all-cash?

Homes in Orange County sold on average below list price for the first time in a summer month in years. With fewer bidding wars and a drop in all-cash purchases, buyers using traditional financing have found themselves in a stronger position. Also, more contingent offers are being accepted, and sellers are more open to concessions such as rate buydowns and repair credits.

4. When are rates coming down?

While mortgage rates remain elevated compared to pre-2022 levels, they have settled into a more predictable mid-6% range. This stability offers clarity for buyers planning long-term. Fannie Mae suggests that rates could edge lower by year-end, but locking in now offers certainty, especially as prices continue to climb a bit.

5. Do you think prices will come down in the future?

Orange County home prices have increased by just over 5% year over year. Fannie Mae’s home price expectation survey polled over 100 housing experts and price growth looks to be moderate at around 3% nationally in each of the next couple of years. Buyers can expect equity growth without facing a runaway market.

Our question to you: Why wait?

Buying in summer 2025 presents a smart opportunity for those ready to make a move. With inventory rising, sellers adjusting expectations, and rates showing signs of stabilization, buyers have more leverage and options than in previous years. The key is getting preapproved, monitoring listings for price reductions, and acting decisively when the right property appears.