Apparently, we’ve made it to the “best week of the year” to buy a home.
Realtor.com recently named September 27 through October 3 the best time to buy in 2026, based on the combination of inventory, prices, competition, time on market, new listings, and price reductions.
And since we’re in that exact week right now, I thought it was worth looking at what that actually means.
Especially here in Southwest Colorado.
Because a national housing trend can be interesting, but the market in Durango, Pagosa Springs, Bayfield, Cortez, or the surrounding mountain communities can look very different from the national picture.
Why Realtor.com Picked This Week
Realtor.com looked at historical seasonal patterns across six different housing-market factors.
Nationally, the week of September 27 through October 3 tends to give buyers a pretty favorable combination:
More homes to choose from
Less competition from other buyers
Homes sitting on the market longer
More price reductions
Listing prices below their summer peak
Their 2026 analysis estimates that buyers could see 31.9% more active listings than they had at the beginning of the year, while competition is historically about 30% lower than its annual peak.
Homes also tend to spend about 13 more days on the market compared with the fastest point of the year, and listing prices are projected to be about 3.5% below their seasonal peak. Realtor.com
Those are meaningful differences.
But they’re national numbers.
So, Does Southwest Colorado Fit the Pattern?
There are definitely some similarities.
Our August numbers already showed a slower pace of sales across Southwest Colorado.
Across the seven counties I track, 188 properties sold in August, down 22.6% from the same month last year. Homes averaged 138 days on market, while 342 new listings came on during the month.
At the same time, prices weren’t collapsing. The regional median sale price was $616,239, just slightly higher than August 2025. Move Me to Southwest Colorado
That combination is interesting for buyers.
There are fewer transactions happening, buyers generally have more time to look carefully at their options, and sellers are competing for a smaller pool of active buyers.
That can create opportunities.
It doesn’t mean every seller is suddenly willing to take a huge discount.
Fall Can Give Buyers Something Summer Often Doesn’t: Time
One of the biggest advantages of shopping in the fall may simply be having a little more breathing room.
During a busy market, buyers can feel pressure to make decisions quickly.
By fall, homes that have been listed for several weeks or months may still be available. Sellers may be more open to discussing price, repairs, closing costs, or other terms depending on the property and their situation.
That extra time also gives buyers a chance to compare homes more carefully.
You can look at how long a property has been listed, whether the price has already been reduced, how it compares with recent sales, and what else is currently available before deciding what kind of offer makes sense.
But “Best Week” Doesn’t Mean Cheapest Week
This is an important distinction.
Realtor.com’s report is looking for the best overall balance of conditions.
It isn’t saying every home reaches its lowest price this week.
A buyer who waits until November or December might encounter a seller who is more motivated to negotiate.
But there may also be fewer homes to choose from by then.
On the other hand, someone shopping earlier in the fall may have better selection while still facing less competition than they would have during the spring or summer.
There’s a tradeoff.
Southwest Colorado Is Also Very Property-Specific
This matters even more in our market.
A condo in Durango, acreage outside Bayfield, a home in Pagosa Springs, and a property in Cortez are not competing in exactly the same market.
Even within the same town, one price range can move very differently from another.
That’s why I wouldn’t tell someone:
“It’s the best week of the year, so you should buy a house right now.”
I’d rather look at the specific property.
How long has it been listed?
Has the price changed?
What have comparable homes actually sold for?
How much competition is there?
Are there issues with the property that give you negotiating room?
Those questions tell us much more than the date on the calendar.
What I’d Be Watching If I Were Buying Right Now
If I were actively shopping this fall, I’d pay particular attention to homes that have been on the market for a while.
A seller who listed in June or July may be in a very different position now than they were when the property first hit the market.
I’d also watch for:
Recent price reductions
Homes that came back on the market
Properties sitting longer than similar homes nearby
Seller-paid closing costs or concessions
Homes with very little recent showing activity
Listings where the seller’s timeline could create room to negotiate
None of those automatically mean you’ll get a deal.
They’re simply places where I’d start asking questions.
What About Sellers?
There’s another side to this.
If buyers have more options and less urgency, sellers have to compete harder for their attention.
That makes pricing especially important.
A buyer looking at five similar homes is going to notice pretty quickly when one of them feels overpriced.
Condition matters too. Small issues that buyers might have overlooked in a more competitive market can become negotiating points when they have several other homes to choose from.
Our August Southwest Colorado market recap already showed that buyers have been more selective, and I’ll be watching closely to see whether that continues through the fall.
So, Is This Really the Best Week to Buy?
Maybe.
Realtor.com’s research makes a strong case that late September and early October offer one of the better combinations of selection, slower competition, and price flexibility nationally.
And some of what we’re seeing locally fits that picture.
But I wouldn’t choose a home simply because a national report says this is the best week.
I’d use the current market conditions to your advantage.
Take your time. Look closely at the competition. Understand what similar homes have actually sold for. And when you find the right property, figure out where there may be room to negotiate.
That’s where the opportunity is.
If you’re thinking about buying in Southwest Colorado this fall and want to know what the market looks like in the specific area or price range you’re considering, reach out anytime. I’m always happy to dig into the numbers with you.
Sources: Realtor.com 2026 Best Time to Buy Report, CREN MLS, and August 2026 Southwest Colorado market data.
