From Summer Moves to Fall Trends: How the Back to School Season Affects Real Estate

How the School Calendar Affects the Housing Market: A Data-Driven Guide for Real Estate Pros

1. Summer Surge: Peak Homebuying Season

• The peak moving season in the U.S. runs from mid‑May through mid‑September, driven by families aiming to settle before the school year begins. (Alabama Association of REALTORS)

• During July–September, Americans sell over 16,000 existing homes per day, with slowdowns of just ~2 percentage points compared to the spring high. (Nar)

• June specifically sees 16% higher home prices compared to winter months, and homes sell faster (median days on market: 31 days in June vs. 49 days in winter). (Nar)

2. Back-to-School Slowdown & Its Impacts

• As school starts, overall market activity declines. For instance, June 2023 recorded 6,577 sales, while September had just 5,918—about a 10% decrease. (Alabama Association of REALTORS)

• Median days on market is typically longer in the fall. In one case, July listings averaged 21 days, increasing to 27 days in August and 32 in September. (AceableAgent)

3. Strategic Timing for Sellers & Agents

• Sellers benefit from summer demand—faster transactions and higher prices. (Nar)

• Fall offers space for serious buyers—with reduced competition, agents can help buyers secure favorable terms and negotiate confidently. (Nar)

• Winter slows further, but presents opportunities for buyers: fewer listings and more negotiating power. Median days on market climb to nearly 50 days. (Nar)

4. School Quality & Home Values

• Buyers place a premium on strong school districts: 18% of all buyers cite school quality, rising to 27% for ages 25–33 and 37% for ages 34–43. (Alabama Association of REALTORS)

• A national study shows every $1 spent on public schools translates into $20 in home value—demonstrating a significant association between school investment and property prices. (publicschoolreview.com)

5. Why Real Estate Pros Should Pay Attention

• Market seasonality is cyclical—understanding the shifts allows agents to support clients across all seasons, whether summer’s rush or fall’s slower pace. (AceableAgent)

• Fall and winter can still be lucrative: motivated sellers, fewer competing buyers, and strategic listings can yield solid outcomes. (blog.bouma.com)

• Agents can intentionally diversify services—offer market analysis, prep listings early, connect with relocating buyers, or guide clients on school district research with local data.

6. Sample Strategy Playbook for Agents

Final Thoughts

The school calendar undeniably shapes real estate cycles. For agents, summer brings volume and competition, while fall and winter offer strategic opportunities for discerning buyers and sellers. Combining seasonal awareness with school-quality insights can position you as the go-to expert in your market.

References:

Here’s your updated blog post ending with a references section so readers (and search engines) can see exactly where your statistics come from—keeping it credible and professional for real estate professionals.

References

The statistics and market insights in this article are drawn from a range of reputable real estate and housing market sources, including:

• National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) – Economists’ Outlook blog, “Navigating the Housing Market: A Seasonal Perspective” (nar.realtor).

• Alabama Association of REALTORS® – “The Back-to-School Effect: How Seasonal Shifts Impact the Housing Market” (alabamarealtors.com).

• Aceable Agent – “How Back-to-School Season Affects Real Estate Agents” (aceableagent.com).

• Public School Review – “What is the Connection Between Home Values and School Performance?” (publicschoolreview.com).

• The Bouma Group – “Timing Your Move: What to Know About Buying a Home Before the School Year Starts” (blog.bouma.com).