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.
Jack C Bharat
Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) Certified with NYC
122-15 111th Avenue, S Ozone Park, NY 11420
Email: jackcbharat@gmail.com
Phone: (718) 805-6982
Jack C Bharat has been in the Real Estate Business since 2003. As a Realtor & Developer, his experience in buying dated, distress or fixer upper and renovated them back for resale can help both buyers and sellers in their transactions. Graduated in 1999 from Queens College (CUNY) Flushing, with a Bachelors of Arts Degree and in 2012 from LaGuardia College with Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Certificate Of Entrepreneurship, Mr Bharat is always educating himself to stay current and sometimes ahead of Real Estate Market Trends. He is currently a Notary Public in the State of NY as well.
Mr Bharat has completed real estate projects in New York-Queens & Long Island, Florida-Ocala & Coral Springs & recently (Nov 2023) 8 Units Apt in Providence, Guyana. His passion for creating projects that blend functional modern architectural design in harmony with the natural environment are evident in his most recent commercial project in Providence Guyana, currently under initial phase of construction. Mr Bharat also is the CEO of Liberty Office Supplies & Equipment, Inc. A Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with New York City & New York State. Established in May 1999, Liberty provides a wide range of office supplies and work as a sourcing company for the Federal Government by being a GSA schedule holder.
Jack is Licensed as a Real Estate Broker in State of New York and in the State of Florida. He has knowledge in both residential and commercial sales. His motto “Working with Clients to achieve their real estate goals” is what drive him to be on top of his game. He is very involved in his community especially with social and educational issues. He is the proud sponsor of a local Cricket Team, Boxing and donates his time and money to various organizations that work with children, abuse victims and the elderly. He is cited by NYC Mayor’s Office, NYS Assembly and NYC Council for his leadership role in his community.
Mr Bharat has three daughters: Alicia who graduated with her Masters Of Science in Education from Queens College and is now a STEM Teacher with the NYC Dept of Education, Kayla who has recently (2024) graduated from CUNY School for Public Health with her Masters of Public Health in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences & works as an Environmetal Health & Safety Specialist with Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr. and Jessica who is currently enrolled as a senior at Queens College pursing her goal as a Dentist.
Mr Bharat has completed real estate projects in New York-Queens & Long Island, Florida-Ocala & Coral Springs & recently (Nov 2023) 8 Units Apt in Providence, Guyana. His passion for creating projects that blend functional modern architectural design in harmony with the natural environment are evident in his most recent commercial project in Providence Guyana, currently under initial phase of construction. Mr Bharat also is the CEO of Liberty Office Supplies & Equipment, Inc. A Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with New York City & New York State. Established in May 1999, Liberty provides a wide range of office supplies and work as a sourcing company for the Federal Government by being a GSA schedule holder.
Jack is Licensed as a Real Estate Broker in State of New York and in the State of Florida. He has knowledge in both residential and commercial sales. His motto “Working with Clients to achieve their real estate goals” is what drive him to be on top of his game. He is very involved in his community especially with social and educational issues. He is the proud sponsor of a local Cricket Team, Boxing and donates his time and money to various organizations that work with children, abuse victims and the elderly. He is cited by NYC Mayor’s Office, NYS Assembly and NYC Council for his leadership role in his community.
Mr Bharat has three daughters: Alicia who graduated with her Masters Of Science in Education from Queens College and is now a STEM Teacher with the NYC Dept of Education, Kayla who has recently (2024) graduated from CUNY School for Public Health with her Masters of Public Health in Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences & works as an Environmetal Health & Safety Specialist with Sloan Kettering Cancer Ctr. and Jessica who is currently enrolled as a senior at Queens College pursing her goal as a Dentist.
