{"id":109390,"date":"2026-03-25T06:00:14","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=109390"},"modified":"2026-03-24T18:37:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T01:37:53","slug":"spring-homebuying-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/spring-homebuying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2026 Spring Homebuying Guide: How to Win a Home and What to Do After You Move In"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Watch out for red flags.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Cracked walls or foundation, strong odors, and roofing issues are red flags buyers most commonly overlook, according to Redfin agents.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Go all in on a home you love.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Waiving contingencies and putting down an all-cash offer can make your offer more competitive, but they also come with added risk and may not be right for every buyer.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Budget wisely and stay on top of maintenance.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Most new homeowners spend between $1,000-$5,000 on maintenance equipment alone in the first year, and far more on preventable problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring is here, and that means the housing market is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-update-more-sellers-test-market\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gearing up<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for its busiest season. Every year, as buyers and sellers emerge from the winter freeze, more homes hit the market, more buyers go on tours, and more deals close. A previous <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/best-time-to-sell-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin report<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that homes tend to sell the fastest and for the most money between late March and early May (and on a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/guides\/best-day-to-list-your-home\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wednesday or Thursday<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But in recent years, the reliably busy spring homebuying season has been noticeably <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/spring-housing-market-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">quieter<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Since the housing market\u2019s pandemic-era <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/housing-market-year-in-review-2022\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">peak<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in 2022, high prices, elevated mortgage rates, and broader economic uncertainty have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/housing-market-plateauing-october-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prompted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more buyers and sellers to step back and wait for conditions to improve, creating a very slow <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-it-a-buyers-or-sellers-market\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buyer\u2019s market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. As a result, home sales have dropped to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/home-sales-fall-december-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">historically low<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> levels over the last two years\u2014even during spring when activity is typically at its peak.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what can homebuyers do to win today? <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=1040357&amp;utm_term=kwd-844252101&amp;utm_content=750171414149&amp;adgid=187255790348&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22497742705&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADirq3ti30ewAjnSvqIK6waeAwoYV&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwpcTNBhA5EiwAdO1S9vOW5zVThAAtNe7YOryzWarvetOeMths4S7-FnmkLCW_7riZb1QmFxoCqjAQAvD_BwE\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Redfin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thumbtack.com\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thumbtack<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> surveyed hundreds of real estate agents, home professionals, and experts across the country to provide the answers. Their insights reveal what buyers need to know about touring a home, outcompeting other buyers, navigating the inspection, and buying with confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe src=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1fqeC3n-M-q283fV9nYz4Cda-GtvrzMK3\/preview\" width=\"1920\" height=\"480\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Spring-Homebuying-Tips-Transcription.pdf\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\">Click here for a transcription of the video<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Learn what is\u2014and isn\u2019t\u2014a red flag when touring a home<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Touring a home is likely one of the first steps a prospective homebuyer will take. A critical part of the touring process is noticing potential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-inspection-red-flags\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">red flags<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These can range from minor issues like chipped paint or old carpeting to major problems like a cracked wall or moldy ceiling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Buyers don\u2019t often catch potentially major problems during home tours.<\/span><b> According to Thumbtack professionals, cracked walls or floors are the most commonly overlooked red flag<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with 45% of pros saying buyers miss them during tours. Next came strong odors (43%) and roofing issues (37%).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhile touring homes, buyers should watch for signs of deferred maintenance that may not be obvious at first glance, like water stains, uneven flooring, strong odors, or cracks,\u201d said <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\/tamara-mattoxkabat\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamara Mattox-Kabat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a Redfin real estate agent and interior designer in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/5155\/CO\/Denver\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denver, CO<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cThese don\u2019t always signal major issues, but they should prompt questions. I encourage buyers to look inside closets, cabinets, and utility spaces to get a feel for the home\u2019s overall condition.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all issues are major red flags, though, even if they look like deal breakers on the surface. Thumbtack pros say that the most common \u201cscary but manageable\u201d problems they see are plumbing leaks (48%), minor electrical fixes (42%), and drywall scuffs (34%).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Outperform the competition<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In hot housing markets, some homebuyers may have to show the seller they are willing to go the extra mile. <\/span><b>Redfin agents say that the most common strategy buyers use to close on a competitive home is offering fewer <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-sale-contingency\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><b>contingencies<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with 71% of agents reporting this as the most effective approach. Making an all-cash offer (53%) and strong financing (40%) rounded out the top three. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Waiving<\/em> <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contingencies may not be the best strategy for everyone.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-109397 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332.png\" alt=\"spring-homebuying-guide-3\" width=\"1000\" height=\"843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332-300x253.png 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332-768x647.png 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332-178x150.png 178w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332-747x630.png 747w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/bidding-strategies-e1774374314332-356x300.png 356w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In competitive markets where homebuyers outnumber sellers\u2014known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/data-center\/buyers-vs-sellers-dynamics\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seller\u2019s markets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014buyers may have to work harder to win a deal. While this is uncommon in today\u2019s slow and expensive landscape, a few cities in the Northeast and West Coast are still <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/most-competitive-housing-markets-2025\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">red hot<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially places like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/16162\/NY\/Rochester\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rochester, NY<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/17420\/CA\/San-Jose\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">San Jose, CA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But even for buyers in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/austin-texas-slowest-housing-market\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">slowest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> housing markets, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/30818\/TX\/Austin\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Austin, TX<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, some homes still sell within days\u2014and buyers should be ready. \u201cFresh, clean, and move-in ready homes are the most likely to sell the fastest,\u201d noted <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\/kristin-sanchez\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kristin Sanchez<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a Redfin Premier agent and interior designer in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/13415\/TN\/Nashville\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nashville, TN<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cFor buyers, that usually means the homes in the best condition get the most attention, so it helps to be ready to move fast when you find one you like.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Take the inspection seriously<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When home inspections go awry, they can quickly delay\u2014or even derail\u2014a sale. <\/span><b>According to 67% of Redfin agents, roof damage is the most common issue uncovered during inspections that led to delays or cancellations.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This is followed by foundation or structural problems (64%) and water damage (30%).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-109399 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1.png\" alt=\"spring-homebuying-guide-2\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1310\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1-229x300.png 229w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1-782x1024.png 782w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1-768x1006.png 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1-115x150.png 115w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/chart9-inspection-issues-1-481x630.png 481w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overlooking red flags can lead to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-buyers-remorse\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">buyer&#8217;s remorse<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and potentially a major renovation bill down the line. This is why the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-inspection\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home inspection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is critical for both buyers and sellers\u2014so both parties can help support a smoother closing, faster sale, and reduce the chances of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/pending-sales-fall-through-january-2026\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">deal falling through<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHomebuyers should feel confident asking for additional inspections or expert opinions during their option period,\u201d explained Brooke Beiermann, Communications Manager at Thumbtack (and recent homebuyer). \u201cThey are making a huge financial decision and deserve the full picture.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Budget for maintenance and repairs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deciding <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/how-much-house-can-i-afford\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how much house you can afford<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be one of the first steps a buyer takes on their housing journey. But it\u2019s important to remember that expenses extend beyond the house price and monthly payments\u2014notably, maintenance issues.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Redfin agents say most new homebuyers spend between $1,000 and $5,000 on basic home maintenance equipment in their first year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with a significant share spending as much as $5,000 to over $10,000.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-109396 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend.png\" alt=\"spring-homebuying-guide-2\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend-278x300.png 278w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend-948x1024.png 948w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend-768x829.png 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend-139x150.png 139w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/buyer-spend-583x630.png 583w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cHave a deep understanding of your finances,\u201d added <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/real-estate-agents\/nicole-m-stewart\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nicole Stewart<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a Redfin Premier agent and interior designer in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/2287\/ID\/Boise\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boise, ID<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u201cUnderstand exactly what you can afford, including your down payment, closing costs, monthly mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, and any maintenance issues that may arise. For example, closing costs alone are usually <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/what-are-closing-costs\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2-5%<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of the purchase price.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One way to prevent costly repairs is to proactively stay on top of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/home-maintenance-tips\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">home maintenance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Around one-third of Thumbtack professionals say water damage from untreated leaks are the most preventable big-ticket problem. This is followed by HVAC replacement due to lack of servicing (19%) and roof damage from delayed maintenance (15%).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final thoughts: Learn your market, find an agent, and trust your gut<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The housing market has been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-the-housing-market-going-to-crash\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">difficult<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for nearly everyone for the last few years, with record-high costs, limited supply, and economic uncertainty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But heading into spring, Redfin and Thumbtack experts say that homebuyers can get a head start by watching for red flags during tours, outcompeting other buyers, prioritizing the inspection, and planning ahead for maintenance costs. Check out Thumbtack\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/thumbtack-blog\/f23d2ebdb12b\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spring home playbook<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more expert guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/is-now-a-good-time-to-buy-a-house\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ready to buy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your first step should be to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/realtors-near-me\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">connect with an agent<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rocketmortgage.com\/learn\/mortgage-preapproval\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">get preapproved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a mortgage. Then, learn about your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/news\/data-center\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">local housing market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, go on tours, meet homeowners, and make an offer when you find a home you love.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Redfin and Thumbtack tapped agents and home pros to share what homebuyers need to know to succeed in the 2026 spring homebuying season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":559,"featured_media":81863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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