Why Fall 2025 in Orange County Could Be the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home 🍁

If you're thinking of selling your home in Orange County this fall, I have good news: yes, fall can absolutely work in your favor—especially this year. Let’s break down the why, the how, and what to keep in mind to make your home shine in the autumn light (even if in Orange County “autumn” really just means “slightly less blazing sun”).

Market Snapshot: Orange County fall sales vs. the rest (2023–2024)

Closed sales by quarter (all property types, CRMLS):

• Fall 2023 (Q4 2023): 7,793 closed sales.
• Winter 2024 (Q1 2024): 8,010 closed sales.
• Spring 2024 (Q2 2024): 10,155 closed sales. 
• Summer 2024 (Q3 2024): 10,053 closed sales.
• Fall 2024 (Q4 2024): 8,436 closed sales.

So What does this really mean for Orange County Home Sellers?

• Fall is not a dead zone. It’s lighter than spring/summer (the traditional peak), but still very active: Fall 2024 outperformed Fall 2023 by ~8% (8,436 vs. 7,793).

• Spring and summer 2024 were the heaviest closing periods (just over 10k each), but winter 2024 still cleared 8k—so demand didn’t disappear when sweaters came out. 

Now, Let’s Talk Interest Rates & Home Affordability:

Mortgage rates have eased to the lowest level in over a year. The average 30-year fixed mortgage in the U.S. has recently slid to about 6.19 % (week of Oct 23 2025) and was about 6.27 % just a week prior.

In short: Yes—interest rates are significantly lower than their recent peak, and that shift matters. Lower rates translate directly into greater affordability for buyers, which in turn fuels market confidence.

Even here in Newport Heights, I’ve seen that confidence come to life—over the past few months alone, more than five new development projects have kicked off demolition and rebuilds. When builders start pouring concrete again, it’s a clear signal: they’re betting on both the strength of the economy and stability in interest rates to support those high-end new construction homes.

In short, falling rates don’t just help buyers—they reignite builder optimism, drive fresh inventory, and create momentum across the entire Orange County market.

Lower Inventory:

• Inventory in Orange County remains tight: fewer homes on market means competition for quality listings.

So, what does all this mean? It means the environment is shifting: you’ve got fewer homes for sale + buyer demand that could pick up because borrowing is a bit easier + serious buyers (not just window-shopping) running in the fall. This sets up a real opportunity for Orange County home sellers who prepare their home right, stage smart and price well.

Why Fall Can Work For You (Pros):

1. Serious buyers are in the game. Buyers shopping in the fall are often motivated—job changes, family moves, life transitions. They might not be leisurely strolling open houses just for fun. This means you’re less likely to get tire-kickers and more likely to get someone ready to pull the trigger.
   
   

2. Potential for shorter escrow/quick action. Because a motivated buyer often wants to wrap things up before the busy holiday season, you can sometimes move quicker.
   
   

3. The seasonal vibe helps your home look it’s best. As a home stager, you know this: fall décor, cozy lighting, the idea of “home for the holidays” all help create emotional appeal. In Orange County, we don’t have to worry about plummeting temps—so the “warm, inviting” look works beautifully. Now, this not to say you should go nuts on the Halloween and Christmas Decor but the beige and brown colors in home decor accents are currently a trend and it’s easy to find a few pieces that help with the cozy home vibe for your property!
   
   

4. Misconception busted: “Kids in school” isn’t everything. It’s often assumed that fall is bad for selling because families need to wait until summer break. But fact is, only about 36% of buyers have kids under 18 at home (nationally). So the fall really is “as good as any” for many buyers who aren’t tied to the school calendar.
   
   

5. Lower interest rates = more buyers potentially coming off the sidelines. With rates dropping, those who were waiting for a “maybe someday” moment might say: “Okay, maybe NOW.” That pent-up demand has happened over the last 1.5 years and it matters! Buyers are ready and can now afford the home!
   
   

Why Fall Could Be Challenging (Cons)

1. Fewer overall buyers than spring. The pace of listings and showings tends to dip in fall versus the frenzy of spring/summer. So while the buyers you do have may be serious, the pool is smaller.
   
   

2. Schedules get busier. With work, school, holidays creeping in, showings can become harder to schedule. Buyers might slow down, or your ideal buyer might get distracted by pumpkin-spice lattes instead.
   
   

3. Curb appeal & weather/lighting issues. In an area like OC we’re lucky, but still: shorter days, falling leaves (who wants to rake them when prepping for staging?!), less daylight for photos/showings—all things to plan for.
   
   

4. Pricing missteps hurt more now. Because there are fewer buyers, homes that languish because of an inflated price or poor marketing can end up stuck until the market picks up. So execution matters.

Tips to Avoid the Fall Pitfalls & Get a Smooth Sale:

1. Price it right from the start. One of the biggest reasons homes fail to sell quickly is starting too high. In a slower period, pricing competitively and building a bidding scenario helps.

2. Hire a seasoned professional (that’s you!). In a slower market window, having an agent who knows how to drive activity, target serious buyers, and manage staging/marketing is even more critical.

3. Market creatively. Use listing videos, targeted Facebook/Google ads, highlight the lifestyle of the home (you have such a great angle with the Newport Beach/OC market). Show the home’s story—not just its square footage.

4. Stage for the season- Here are some ideas: 

   • Declutter: Clear out holiday-excess, keep it clean and neutral.
   • Brighten up the home: Paint in fresh neutral tones (your go-to: Sherwin Williams “Alabaster” fits perfectly).
     Update light fixtures / bulbs: LED bright, warm but modern.
   • Wash windows: Yes, a bit of rainy seasons ahead = dirty windows = bad first impressions (you know how picky buyers are!).
   • Emphasize warmth & lifestyle: Even in OC, think “cozy evening family time,” “entertaining guests,” “relaxing post-surf sunset.”
5. Make scheduling easier. Be super flexible on showings, even evenings or weekends—capture the serious buyer when they’re ready.

Final Thoughts (And Your Next Moves)

If you’re prepping to sell your home this fall, now is absolutely a strategic time. Lean into the strengths: highlight the unique lifestyle of Orange County living for your particular home, make your home feel inviting and move-in ready, price it smart, and drive targeted marketing. The “off-peak” season can be your advantage—less competition, more serious buyers.

As your staging partner and listing strategist, I’d recommend scheduling a pre-list staging consultation as soon as possible (before the holiday rush sneaks up). We’ll walk your home, declutter, create refresh with brand new paint , update lighting, and get the photos and video locked in while the sun is still gracious (yes, the OC sun is gracious). Then we launch with a full marketing blitz: listing video, Instagram & Facebook ads, targeted to buyers with relocation/job-change filters.

Let’s make listing your home during the fall season your best yet. 🍂