As the leaves start to change, so does the Westchester real estate market. The fall season has its own unique rhythm, and understanding these shifts can help both buyers and sellers make smarter decisions. Whether you’re exploring Chappaqua homes for sale or thinking about listing your property, here are the key factors shaping the market right now.
Seasonality Shapes the Market
In Westchester, real estate activity follows the school calendar. Nearly two-thirds of all transactions happen during the winter and spring markets, when families are positioning themselves for the next school year. The fall market, which runs from Labor Day until mid-November, is shorter and more compressed.
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For buyers: You’ll find fewer listings in the fall, but also less competition.
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For sellers: Homes listed in the first half of the year often draw more motivated buyers who are eager to close before the summer.
(For more on timing your sale, check out my earlier blog post: Why Seasonality Matters in Westchester Real Estate)
Mortgage Rates: A Small Break, But Big Picture Still Matters
Rates have ticked down by a quarter to half a percentage point in recent months, giving buyers a bit more affordability. But experts note that a bigger shift won’t happen until rates move closer to 5%.
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See recent analysis from The Wall Street Journal on rate trends.
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Learn more about affordability and rates in my post: Fixed-Rate Mortgages vs. ARMs in Today’s Market.
Market Softening Across Price Points
Over the past six months, Westchester real estate has shown clear signs of slowing:
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Luxury homes over $2.5M were the first to see fewer transactions.
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Now even mid- and lower-priced homes, which used to sell in days, are staying on the market longer.
This shift means buyers may face less competition, while sellers need to be more strategic in pricing and presentation.
The Premium on Turnkey Homes
The trend is undeniable: buyers prefer turnkey, move-in ready properties. Homes needing renovation often linger, even though they represent potential value. For buyers willing to invest in updates, this market offers rare opportunities to secure a home at a lower price and build equity through improvements.
For context, CNBC recently reported that renovation costs are stabilizing as demand for contractors slows down—good news for buyers considering a fixer-upper.
(Related: Updating Your Kitchen on a Budget)
Renovation Costs Are Becoming More Favorable
Contractors and trades in the region are seeing less demand, which means renovation work is more affordable than it was just a year ago. For buyers with vision, this is a chance to stretch your budget further and maximize return on investment.
Final Thoughts
The fall season is fast-moving but full of opportunity. If you’re thinking about buying, you may find less competition in the Chappaqua homes for sale market. If you’re planning to sell, timing your listing with the spring cycle may help capture the largest pool of buyers. And for those open to renovations, this could be the moment to secure long-term value in the Westchester real estate market.
Want to explore how these trends affect your goals? Reach out anytime—I’d be happy to guide you through the season.
