When to Sign the Deal: Market Signals for Buyers
When to Sign the Deal: Market Signals for Buyers
The U.S. housing market is showing renewed momentum, with pending home sales climbing 4.0% in August 2025 compared to the previous month and 3.8% year-over-year. For buyers, understanding what these numbers mean—and how they translate into real opportunities—can make the difference between securing the right home and missing out in a competitive environment.
Rising Pending Sales Signal Market Shift
The recent rise in pending home sales has caught the attention of buyers, sellers, and industry experts alike. A 4.0% month-over-month increase and a 3.8% year-over-year rise indicate that more buyers are signing contracts to purchase homes, even if those deals have not yet closed. This trend reflects growing confidence among consumers and could signal a shift in market dynamics after a period of relative stagnation. For buyers, these numbers are more than just statistics—they are a snapshot of changing competition levels and evolving opportunities.
What Pending Home Sales Really Mean
Pending home sales are a key forward-looking indicator because they represent agreements that have been signed but not yet finalized. Typically, it takes one to two months for a pending sale to close, meaning these numbers provide an early glimpse of where the housing market is headed. When pending sales rise, it often leads to increased closed sales in subsequent months. For buyers, this means that more people are moving quickly to secure properties, and waiting too long to make decisions may result in losing out to faster-acting competitors.
Buyers Are Adapting to Mortgage Realities
One of the reasons pending home sales are increasing is that buyers are starting to adapt to the current interest rate environment. After a long stretch of hesitation during periods of rapid rate hikes, many buyers are recognizing that mortgage rates may remain relatively high for some time, and waiting for dramatic drops may not be a winning strategy. Instead, they are locking in rates now, sometimes using points or adjustable-rate mortgages to manage costs. This shift in behavior is leading to a more active marketplace, where hesitation is giving way to strategic action.
More Inventory Creates New Opportunities
Another factor driving this uptick is a gradual increase in housing inventory. Over the summer, more homes have come onto the market, giving buyers a wider range of options than they had during the extremely tight supply of previous years. A larger inventory means buyers can find properties that fit their needs more precisely, and it encourages them to make offers before others do. Additionally, sellers are becoming more realistic about pricing, leading to slightly more negotiable deals. In this kind of environment, buyers who are prepared—pre-approved for financing, clear about their priorities, and ready to act—have a distinct advantage.
Strategic Timing Matters More Than Ever
For buyers trying to determine when to move forward with a contract, these market conditions suggest that being proactive can pay off. Rising pending sales indicate that competition is heating up again, and desirable properties may receive multiple offers shortly after being listed. Buyers who wait for the “perfect” market conditions may find themselves left behind. Instead, aligning financial readiness with decisive action—while maintaining realistic expectations about pricing and interest rates—can create the best opportunity to secure a home. Strategic timing is less about predicting market peaks and more about recognizing when the market is shifting and positioning oneself accordingly.
Conclusion: Act Smart, Not Slow
The recent surge in pending home sales is a clear signal that buyer activity is picking up, and the market may be entering a more dynamic phase. For those considering purchasing a home, understanding the meaning behind these numbers is essential. Pending sales data offers valuable insight into upcoming competition, pricing trends, and overall market health. Acting confidently and strategically in response to these trends can help buyers make timely decisions and avoid unnecessary delays. In a market where opportunities can appear and disappear quickly, informed action is often the decisive factor between success and frustration.
Ralph Schiavone
HLS Group, Inc.
1611 Pomona Road, suite 207 Corona, CA 92878
Email: rschiavone@hlsgroupinc.com
Phone: (714) 315-0027
HLS Group, Inc.; Ralph Schiavone-Broker and President is your full-service real estate agency; specializing in all aspects of residential real estate purchase, sale with over 30-years’ experience and extensive knowledge and understanding of real estate finance. We are Certified Probate Real Estate Specialists, short-sale experts, REO-agent certified and fully MLS compliant. HLS Group, Inc. and Ralph Schiavone offer a one-stop opportunity for prospective buyers and sellers to gain information about the purchase/sale process from identifying a property for purchase to placing a property for sale. We negotiate with confidence on
behalf of our clients and work seemlessly with finance professionals during the purchase/sale process.
The markets of Southern California are uniquely dynamic with many opportunities to both purchase or sell a home. The biggest keys to success are patience and appropriate market position. Know your market and how you fit within it. That’s where using Ralph Schiavone and the agents at HLS Group, Inc. will serve you best, by providing you the tools for informed decision-making.
Currently inventory is somewhat tight and communication is key to ensuring timely property opportunities. We at HLS Group, Inc. pride ourselves on strong and comprehensive communication: from the initial interview through close of escrow and thereafter. At HLS Group, Inc. a successful transaction is defined as facilitating the client’s property desire, in the area/neighborhood they wish to live, while using the most appropriate financing strategy, for the best outcome possible.
Customer service is key at HLS Group, Inc. Our relationship and support do not end once your purchase/sale is completed. We’ve built our reputation as a reliable resource in our community and are available for you in the future whenever you feel we can be of service. We look forward to working with you.
The markets of Southern California are uniquely dynamic with many opportunities to both purchase or sell a home. The biggest keys to success are patience and appropriate market position. Know your market and how you fit within it. That’s where using Ralph Schiavone and the agents at HLS Group, Inc. will serve you best, by providing you the tools for informed decision-making.
Currently inventory is somewhat tight and communication is key to ensuring timely property opportunities. We at HLS Group, Inc. pride ourselves on strong and comprehensive communication: from the initial interview through close of escrow and thereafter. At HLS Group, Inc. a successful transaction is defined as facilitating the client’s property desire, in the area/neighborhood they wish to live, while using the most appropriate financing strategy, for the best outcome possible.
Customer service is key at HLS Group, Inc. Our relationship and support do not end once your purchase/sale is completed. We’ve built our reputation as a reliable resource in our community and are available for you in the future whenever you feel we can be of service. We look forward to working with you.
