New York City gets a major glow-up in spring, from the return of verdant grass in Central Park to the parade of tulips marching down Park Avenue, as if en-route to Bergdorfs. It’s proof of what comedian Robin Williams once said: “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!'”

Spring also happens to be a great time to buy a place in NYC, at least according to the real estate pros we spoke to. Here’s why you should consider buying a home in the spring.

Reasons for Buying a Home in the Spring in NYC

1. There’s More on the Market

If you’re the type of person that relies on data and more data to make your decisions, spring really is a great time to buy in NYC, according to the numbers.  

“It’s usually the season with the most inventory, so just in terms of market logistics, you’re helping yourself out [by buying now],” says Maggie Chong, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker with Serhan, StreetEasy Expert, and member of StreetEasy’s 2025 Agent Advisory Board of buying a home in the spring in NYC. “For whatever reason, because of the combination of that and also the weather and life changes and all of that stuff, you’ve got all that momentum going for that type of market trend — then everybody else jumps on the bandwagon. So many times brokers will say you should wait until spring [to sell] because that’s the highest season. And so if that’s the advice that everybody’s getting, then everybody’s going to be on that cycle.”  

Manhattan Homes Under $1M On StreetEasy Article continues below

Upper West Side

155 West 80th Street

$960,000

2 |

1.5

Upper West Side

201 West 74th Street

$988,000

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

156 East 79th Street

$950,000

2 |

2

Yorkville

1628 Second Avenue

$675,000

1 |

1

Fulton/Seaport

1 Park Row

$900,000

Studio |

1

South Harlem

88 Morningside Avenue

$685,000

1 |

1

Lenox Hill

350 East 77th Street

$784,000

2 |

1

Yorkville

420 East 86th Street

$549,000

Studio |

1

Turtle Bay

212 East 47th Street

$889,000

1 |

1

Lincoln Square

140 West End Avenue

$639,000

1 |

1

Upper West Side

250 West 103rd Street

$599,000

1 |

1

Hell’s Kitchen

333 West 56th Street

$715,000

Studio |

1

Daniel Kramp, Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker for Christie’s International Real Estate Group and StreetEasy Expert, says it’s about supply and demand. “When you have more inventory, it’s a better time to buy because there’s more to choose from and it’s a better time to sell because you have more people looking,” he says.

While realtors often mention school moves as a spur, “the other reason, too, I think that we see a lot of [inventory in] spring is that that’s after people have gotten their bonuses,” Chong says. Kramp says he’s waiting to list a few properties until spring for that Wall Street bonus season. “They’ve got money burning a hole in their pocket ready to make their biggest purchase ever,” Chong notes.

2. It’s Better Weather for Touring Homes

Anyone who has ever looked at properties knows that comfortable shoes are practically required, even if you’re in Des Moines. But in New York City, “It’s a lot of pounding the pavement, literally,” Chong says. 

To that end, the blissful spring weather — with an average high temperature of 72 degrees fahrenheit in May, versus 39 in January — helps a lot. “You’re out and you’re seeing a lot of properties, and especially in New York where you’re walking, not necessarily jumping in a car,” Chong says. “You are in the elements, and spring is usually better for that.”

Plus, when leaves have emerged from the trees and crocuses from their earthen confines, everything looks like it’s gotten a sprinkle of pixie dust this time of year. “I had a townhouse last spring and we got our photos when the trees were blooming, and so it just looked so special, so beautiful,” Chong recalls. “In general, the outdoor spaces show better [in spring]” Chong says. 

Longer daylight hours also help those on the hunt see listings in their best light. “Later spring and summer months, the sun is up later, and so you can get a better idea,” she says. “You can see things all days of the week instead of only at noon on Sunday.”

Brooklyn Homes Under $1M On StreetEasy Article continues below

City Line

377 Euclid Avenue

$949,000

6 |

3.5

Williamsburg

97 Seigel Street

$675,000

1 |

1

Prospect Heights

15 Butler Place

$775,000

2 |

1

East Flatbush

201 East 35th Street

$799,000

3 |

2.5

Williamsburg

97 Seigel Street

$627,900

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

156 Somers Street

$495,000

1 |

1

Ocean Hill

156 Somers Street

$515,000

1 |

1

Seagate

3865 Poplar Avenue

$988,000

3 |

4

Fort Hamilton

9956 Third Avenue

$829,000

1 |

1

East Williamsburg

850 Metropolitan Avenue

$915,000

1 |

1

Bedford-Stuyvesant

557 Lafayette Avenue

$940,000

1 |

1.5

Homecrest

2023 East 23rd Street

$998,000

3 |

3

3. The Mood’s as Bright as Times Square

That exultant feeling of squirrels skittering after one another and robins chirping in Washington Square Park can be yours, too. In spring,  “People are more optimistic too,” Chong says. “You’ve gotten out of the winter blues, and you’re headed towards the summer.” 

In the real estate world, “I do think people also want to try to get things wrapped up before they leave for summer holidays,” she says. “And that’s kind of why we see the bump in the fall too… they’re trying to get it done before Thanksgiving and Christmas.” 

Still, Chong says spring is the peak of the bloom for shopping. “In spring, you’ve got a longer runway. It always feels like fall is kind of short. It’s really only a month and a half, but in the spring, you’ve got a few more months.”

 In other words, it’s time to shop until you drop for your next dream place.